A 40MVA transformer was delivered at the newly built substation in eMzinoni on October 8. The Govan Mbeki Municipality intends to upgrade the Bethal and eMzinoni electricity network.
The contractor, Enpower Machite, told the Executive Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma, that R70m was spent on the transformer, servitude, the environmental impact study, engineering, designs and preparation for the Eskom line needed to feed the substation.
According to Enpower Machite, the transformer’s capacity is bigger than the notified maximum demand of eMzinoni and Bethal combined (26.8MVA ).
This means there will be an extra 20MVA power capacity. Machite assured Zuma that the substation will be ready to cater for future development.
When receiving the transformer, Zuma said the municipality wants to see many factories as soon as possible for job creation in the area.
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“For that to happen, we need a lot of energy and we might build a substation bigger than this one in the future,” said Zuma.
The mayor said this government initiative now yielded results.
“We appreciate the Department of Energy for funding the project, including the quality of work that is done. We need to push the department funding at a faster rate to complete this project much faster.
“There is still R220m required to complete the project. This includes the electrification of all households that were not electrified and a transmission line from Eskom to this substation,” said Zuma.
He said it is crucial for the department to catch up as the contractor said by December their limited budget will be depleted. Zuma said the aim of the project is to alleviate load-shedding and load-balancing issues while also ensuring that everyone gets electricity.
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