According to metro spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, over 16 000 households will be electrified by the end of this financial year.
“The five year programme has started in informal settlements located on state owned land while legalities to roll out the programme in privately owned informal settlements is being reviewed,” said Gadebe.
“We have begun to electrify households in our current informal settlements as per our manifesto commitment. We are also planning to install street lights to improve the safety of our people, especially women and children.”
He said to date a total of 9 943 households have been electrified in informal settlements.
“The installation of streetlights is being rolled out with 2 263 streets lights of the targeted 3000 and 156 High Mast Lights already installed. The metro is working tirelessly to achieve the targeted 400 High Mast Lights around Ekurhuleni’s 119 informal settlements.
“Improving household lighting for the poor requires stability in our energy sources. Plans are underway to create the necessary settlement structures that make safe and secure electricity connection possible.
“These plans include the implementation of alternative and renewable energy to limit dependence on the national grid and improve security of energy while protecting the environment by limiting greenhouse emissions.”
