18 Feb 2019

Power supply to the north east region was adversely affected by damage caused by lightning strikes on the main 66-kilovolt power line from Francistown during the past festive season.

Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Eric Molale said the power line in question supplied both the Masunga and Tutume supply lines.

He explained that Maitengwe and Dagwi experienced power supply interruptions due to overloading of the 500-kilovolt-ampere (kVA), 33/11kV Dagwi substation transformer.

He said the substation was supplied from the 66kV line from Francistown and in turn, supplied the villages of Dagwi and Maitengwe, including Water Utilities Corporation’s (WUC)’s Maitengwe well-fields.

Mr Molale said to address overloading of the Dagwi substation transformer which usually occurred during the festive season, BPC was in the process of replacing the current 500kVA with a 1 000kVA unit.

He said the works were scheduled to be completed by February 25 this year.

“In order to improve the reliability of the 66Kv line from Francistown, BPC is reviewing the line design with a view to replace it with one that was less susceptible to lightning,” he said

He said with respect to compensating customers for damage to electrical appliances due to power surges, BPC only considered compensation if the damage was determined to have occurred as a result of negligence by the corporation.

In addition, he said as power surges were an inherent feature or power systems, consumers were required by law to protect their sensitive equipment and appliances.

“To date, no reports of damage have been received by BPC from Dagwi and Maitengwe during, or relating, to the past festive season. If and when received, each case will be considered on its own merits,” he said.

Nkange MP, Mr Edwin Batshu had asked the minister to give a detailed account for the daily power cuts in the constituency, particularly in Maitengwe and Dagwi during the past festive season which badly affected businesses and electrical appliances.

Mr Batshu also wanted the minister to explain whether BPC was ready to make compensations to those affected. ENDS