City of Ekurhuleni launches R445m upgrades to stabilise power supply

The City of Ekurhuleni has acknowledged the ongoing electricity challenges affecting residents and businesses in Germiston, as well as in parts of Benoni, Isando, and Kempton Park. The executive mayor has outlined a series of infrastructure upgrades aimed at stabilising the grid and improving supply reliability. during his State of the City Address (SOCA).

In response to concerns raised by Germiston and Primrose, the City confirmed that it is actively investing in critical electricity infrastructure to address the root causes of frequent outages and network instability. These interventions form part of a broader commitment to deliver a more reliable and sustainable power supply across the region.

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Central to these efforts is the upgrading of the 2nd Input substation, with an investment of R20m, alongside the Atom Road substation in Germiston, which is receiving a further R15m injection. Once completed, both substations will double their current capacity.

“This expansion is expected to significantly improve supply stability, particularly in key industrial hubs such as Wadeville and Roodekop, while also accommodating future economic growth in and around Germiston,” said city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

The city further noted that ageing and obsolete infrastructure remain a major contributor to ongoing power disruptions.

To address this, a R50m project is underway to replace outdated oil-filled cables in Kempton Park (66kV), while a larger R280m upgrade is being implemented in Valcania and Dalpark in Brakpan (33kV). These upgrades are designed to reduce faults, improve safety, and enhance overall network performance.

In addition, an investment of R80m has been allocated to the Anderbolt and Witkop substations, with the specific aim of eliminating recurring outages and strengthening supply reliability in affected areas.

The city emphasised that while these projects are already in progress.

“Residents may continue to experience intermittent disruptions in the short term as work is carried out. However, these temporary inconveniences are necessary to ensure long-term stability and improved service delivery.

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Residents and businesses are encouraged to report faults promptly and to remain patient as the city works to resolve these longstanding challenges.

The municipality has reaffirmed its commitment to transparent communication and to accelerating infrastructure development that meets the growing energy demands of its communities.

“We recognise the frustration experienced by our residents and businesses, particularly in Germiston.

“These infrastructure investments are not only about fixing current issues but also about building a resilient electricity network that can support future growth.”