New substation for reliable electricity
South Africa, Jeffreys Bay: The new substation at Ocean View in Jeffreys Bay is set to provide more reliable electricity residents and businesses in the area.
Image source: Kouga Local Municipality
South Africa, Jeffreys Bay: The new substation at Ocean View in Jeffreys Bay is set to provide more reliable electricity residents and businesses in the area.
After five months of construction, the substation now brings Ocean View almost double its original capacity, from 4 MVA to 7.315 MVA.
Willem Gertenbach, Infrastructure and Engineering Portfolio Councillor, said it was decided at the end of last year to move the substation from its previous location to a more secure and safer site after numerous acts of vandalism by residents – causing major power failures in the area.
Municipal officials were also threatened and victimised when conducting repairs at the substation.
“The substation will not only increase the reliability of the electricity supply, but it will also improve network capacity, strengthen the electricity network, and ultimately reduce power interruptions,” he said. “Residents from Pellsrus, Ocean View, and Tokyo Sexwale are set to benefit from the project, while the substation will also provide electricity to the planned housing project in Ocean View once completed.
Gertenbach said the new substation shows residents where they municipality spend the money that is received from electricity tariffs.
“About 6 % of the income that we make from electricity tariffs goes towards the repair and maintenance of our electricity grid, which includes new substations, power lines and meters,” he said.
Source: Kouga Local Municipality