01 Aug 2024

Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has confirmed that the Nata/Gweta area was affected by three unplanned power interruptions from January to March this year.

Answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi said the interruptions were caused by a severe thunderstorm and road traffic accident.

He added that on January 11, power supply to Sowa Town was interrupted due to a severe thunderstorm and lightning, which caused extensive damage to the bulk supply substation equipment at Botash mine. He said repair works lasted for two days due to the extent of the damage and power supply was restored on January 13.

Additionally, he said on February 14, a mine truck hooked onto the 33kV power line supplying Nata and surrounding areas, thereby causing extensive power line damage and power supply was restored on February 15.

He further said on March 4, another truck hooked onto an overhead power line causing a power cut, which was cleared the same day.

“It is mandatory for BPC to supply adequate, reliable and safe electricity to all customers in the country. The power cuts experienced in the Nata-Gweta are attributed to events beyond BPC’s control. It is the role of my ministry to ensure that BPC carries out its mandate effectively and to support the Corporation accordingly,” he said.

However, he said a number of measures were being implemented to enhance the reliability of supply in the Nata/Gweta, which included carrying out preventative maintenance, which comprised tree management and the replacement of wooden poles as well as using concrete poles on the Nata-Gweta overhead powerline, which were durable in place of wooden poles.

Another preventative was relocating the high-voltage transmission 132kV substation from the Botash mine area to avoid equipment pollution and corrosion and to enhance operational efficiency as well as installing a lightning mast and surge diverters to reduce the probability of direct lightning strikes on power infrastructure.

He indicated that the Ministry and BPC were aware of the detrimental effects of power cut on electrical equipment’s and business operations including the associated loss of production and revenue. He said BPC always endeavoured to supply reliable power to minimise the adverse effects of power cuts on equipment and business operations.

“However, it should be appreciated that certain incident causing power interruptions, such as adverse weather and third-party damage to power infrastructure, are unavoidable. Therefore, customers are advised to install protective devices to safeguard their equipment against power surges, and businesses are encouraged to install backup power supply systems where feasible to mitigate the risk of power cuts,” he added.

He also advised customers to install surge diverters to safeguard their appliances from uncontrollable power surges.

“BPC does not provide compensation to customers for business losses or equipment damage resulting from power failures, except in cases where negligence on the part of BPC is proven. Customers who believed that BPC is responsible for damage to their equipment due to power cuts are encouraged to file claims with BPC for investigation and determination of liability,” he said.

Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga had asked the minister to state if he is aware of the frequent power cuts in his constituency and wanted to know if there were plans to have a permanent solution for the power cuts and if there was any provision to compensate for business losses caused by power cuts. Ends