The underground electricity cabling project in Sea Point is set to be completed next month.
The R6 million project aims to address the crises level of electricity infrastructure vandalism across the city.
The project started last year, where teams removed 22 electricity poles and electricity cabling in five roads in the area.
Roads to be completed in the coming weeks include Clifford (bottom half), Northumbria, Edward and Deane roads.
About 2 000 metres of overhead electricity conductors will be removed and replaced with underground cabling in the area.
Nicola Jowell, Ward 54 councillor, said these projects are there to prevent cable theft and to deal with electricity grids that generate problems and electrical faults due to the overhead lines.
The project is an essential investment. The outcome is updated wiring, new street lights that are more energy efficient, safer infrastructure that is substantially less vulnerable to vandalism, theft and of course storm damage.”
She said this will also ensure a more reliable electricity supply.
“This Sub-Station will now be completed with new wiring underground. Half of the roads that are part of the sub-station were done last year, and this is now the completion of the project with the other half of the roads.
“The areas are prioritised and done according to the cable theft problems, but also the number of faults or any other infrastructure issues/problems.”
According to Jowell this will not impact electricity supply.
“There will not be a general supply issue but there could be a day with an outage as the new wiring is connected, but that will be communicated to the affected residents.”
Xanthea Limberg, Mayco member for energy, said the programme is being rolled out in eight other areas, including Woodstock and Oranjezicht.
“Our teams are also carrying out underground cabling projects across the metro and these projects represent the City’s investment into the future, which will deliver numerous benefits to residents and businesses.”
According to Limberg the City completed major overhead to underground infrastructure projects in areas including Bonteheuwel, Kewtown, Kensington, Pinelands and Woodstock in the 2023-’24 financial year.
“As one of the City’s vandalism and theft deterrents, the City utilises aluminium cabling for streetlights and for its Low Voltage (LV) and Medium Voltage (MV) networks due to the material’s lower resale value compared to copper.”
She explained that the transition to underground electricity cabling and infrastructure is a key component to long-term vision to modernise and enhance the reliability of our infrastructure and network.
“We are committed to investing in our electricity infrastructure to ensure it remains resilient and reliable to support the prosperity of our communities,” explained Limberg.
Benefits of underground power infrastructure:
• Improved reliability
Underground cable infrastructure is less susceptible to weather related faults such as storms and falling trees.
• Safety
Underground cabling reduces the risk of electrical accidents from people, cars and animals coming into contact with the power lines.
• Visually appealing
Underground cable eliminates the need for poles and overhead power lines in an area.
Report to the City
Residents can log streetlight and other electricity faults online via the City’s service request platform, by dialling our call centre, sending an SMS or via the City’s new dedicated electricity faults WhatsApp line on 060 018 1505.
