The metro will spend more than R100-million to stabilise the power supply in Germiston, following weeks of prolonged power outages in the area.
Germiston has, for the past few months, experienced intermittent power failures due to ageing medium voltage (MV) underground cables, as well as cable theft.
All power interruptions are recorded and trends analysed to identify potential weak spots and frequently failing distribution equipment within the electricity distribution network.
Every unplanned power interruption due to a network fault causes other equipment failures on the existing infrastructure, due to the stress placed on the equipment.
This has led to a number of double faults on the electrical distribution network, leaving consumers without electricity for an extended period.
The metro has prioritised seven medium voltage underground cable feeders for immediate replacement, to stabilise the network and to improve reliability and performance.
About R50-m in the current financial year has been set aside to upgrade electricity lines in Germiston.
The total distance of new cables to be installed by June, this year, in Germiston and surrounding areas is 29.4km.
Phase one of the upgrade will be completed at the end of June.
In the next financial year, Ekurhuleni has set aside R80-m to further upgrade the Germiston electricity distribution infrastructure.
“It is important to note that the upgrading of the underground cables does not cause electricity interruptions, as engineers lay the new cables adjacent to the existing infrastructure route,”said MMC for water and energy, Clr Doctor Xhakaza.
“When the cable feeder has been completed, the old cable is disabled and the new cable connected to the ring circuit without affecting the supply of electricity.”
The municipality will continue monitoring and analysing the network performance to ensure timeous interventions are implemented as and when required to reduce electricity downtime.
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