Johannesburg needs USD 1.2 billion investment in electricity infrastructure

2017-12-10

 South Africa, Johannesburg: The City of Johannesburg requires an investment of around $1.2 billion over the next ten years to upgrade its ageing electricity infrastructure.

“We have one electricity substation that supplies the entire inner city of Johannesburg. It is 75 years old, 30 years past its useful lifespan,” said City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba, referring to the almost 80-year-old Cleveland substation that is now undergoing a $12.5 million refurbishment, reports Engineering News.

The city’s Van Beek substation is also using old switchgear that is difficult to operate and unsafe to use.

Theft and corruption are further challenge costing the city millions each year.

“Just over a month ago, the inner city was plunged into darkness due to stolen underground cables,” said Mashaba.

Another challenge is the bulk tariff trajectory that is going up causing an adverse impact on industry and residential areas.

Source: Engineering News