Tshwane enhances electricity supply with major upgrades

Residents in some of Pretoria West's most hard-hit neighbourhoods can finally breathe a sigh of relief after the City of Tshwane announced two major electricity capital projects to boost the electricity supply and put an end to constant power cuts.

According to the city, the projects will tackle the long-standing issue of unstable and unreliable power that has plagued the area for far too long.

The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Utility Services, Frans Boshielo, said the city has officially handed over the two major electricity capital projects to the contractor in Ward 3, the area most affected by electricity supply issues. 

"Electricity demand has steadily increased across various parts of the city. In response, the city has embarked on a programme to strengthen electricity supply across all seven regions through infrastructure development, capacity upgrades, and the general improvement of the electricity network," he said.

One of the two key projects underway to address the issue involves refurbishing the Kraai 11kV secondary substation in Kwaggasrand, which has been crippled by outdated and inefficient switchgear. 

The city's refurbishment project includes replacing old equipment with modern tech, installing advanced protection and control systems, upgrading lighting for better security, and renovating the facility. 

The project is expected to boost local economic development and enhance public safety through improved lighting, thanks to the increased reliability of the power supply.

The second project focuses on upgrading the low-voltage electricity network in Proclamation Hill, an area that has seen significant development in recent years, particularly with student accommodation and rental properties. 

This growth, according to Boshielo, has put immense pressure on the electricity network, resulting in frequent power failures due to overload trips. 

He said the city initiated a multi-phase capital project to upgrade the low-voltage electricity network.

"In the 2024/25 financial year, upgrades were completed in the supply areas served by the Oliewen/Mica, Cobalt/Serin, and Radium/Kiat mini-substations. These areas have since achieved improved supply stability," he said.

He said work is now ongoing in the remaining areas, specifically the Chroom/Mimosa and Taaibos/Mercantile mini-substations, with completion expected by October 2026.

Once completed, the upgrades will ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply, supporting local businesses and economic activities in Proclamation Hill, according to Boshielo. 

"The initiation and handover of these two capital projects mark an important milestone in our efforts to improve service delivery and modernise Tshwane's electricity infrastructure. These projects will improve the reliability of supply, reduce outages, increase network capacity to support growth, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure,” he said.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za