City Power has installed two high-mast solar lights in Ivory Park, Midrand with one being in the process of being installed in JB Matabane Secondary School.
The project was initiated by the power utility to target high crime hotspots.
The project aims to have 50 lights by the end of the current financial year across all the regions under City Power.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said it aims to provide lights during load-shedding and when there are power outages for safety and security purposes.
Mangena said they were targeting areas that experience a lot of movement at night, and areas prone to vandalism of streetlights.
“So far, City Power has installed about 25 high mast solar lights across the city in areas such as Meadowlands, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, Alexandra, and Finetown, to name a few. In Midrand, they have installed two in Ivory Park, one at Granny Street and another one at Freedom Drive, and have commenced with another installation at JB Matabane Secondary School, which is also a crime hotspot in the area,” said Mangena.
He said solar lighting will improve visibility and ensure safety.
The project is part of City Power’s strategy to explore sources of alternative energy mix to catapult the entity into a new era of innovation and sustainability.
Mangena said this project also seeks to address the issue of vandalism against streetlights. In many areas, streetlights are stripped of cables and other parts.
“The cables are then used for illegal connections but this project will curb the vandalism of streetlights as the masts do not use those cables,” added Mangena.
The project was introduced this financial year and was launched on June 9 by MMC for environmental and infrastructure services, Jack Sekwaila in Finetown.
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