LARGE parts of Nelson Mandela Bay were plunged into darkness last night after two substations supplying the greater part of the city tripped, causing widespread power outages.
Summerstrand, Humewood, Mount Pleasant and the whole of Walmer were just some of the areas without electricity, with municipal workers trying to get to the root of the problem.
Officials said the Summerstrand and Arlington substations had tripped – the cause believed to be either damage to, or theft of, a high-voltage power cable.
By late last night, however, power had been restored at the Arlington station, with electricity being switched back on area by area.
Municipal spokeswoman Marthie Nel said last night they were concerned that a 132000-volt power cable "may have been damaged or stolen".
"We are currently patrolling the lines and no timeframe has yet been given on repairs," she said.
Other areas affected were Forest Hill, Miramar, Pari Park, Charlo, Springfield, Broadwood, Lovemore Park, Schoenmakerskop, Providentia and South End.
