After more than two decades of delays, the long-awaited Dukuza substation could finally supply electricity to Ballito and Zimbali for the December holiday season.

While an exact date was not set, the KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) listed December 2026 as its target to connect the new 132/33kV substation near Umhlali Country Club to the existing electricity network.

Meanwhile, Eskom committed during a meeting on October 6 to energise the substation by October 27, with commissioning expected to follow.

The updates were outlined in a progress report tabled at a special council meeting on Wednesday, October 14.

According to the report, the substation is expected to improve electricity supply, reduce power outages and support the rapidly growing residential, commercial and industrial developments along the North Coast.

The Dukuza substation project, first initiated in 2004, has faced years of delays, initially because of difficulties securing suitable land and later because of funding challenges.

The project was divided into two phases in 2016.

The first phase, which included the construction of the main substation, access road, security facilities and electrical infrastructure, has been completed.

However, the second phase, which involves connecting the substation to the wider electricity network and installing additional infrastructure, has been delayed by funding shortages.

The Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra) had applied further pressure on the municipality, lobbying for access to the project’s tender documents for oversight purposes.

KDM has now allocated funding for two priority components during the 2026/27 financial year.

These include installing outdoor 33kV switchgear and connecting two electricity feeders to the existing Ballito and Zimbali substations.

The report also highlights the importance of the project for future development, with the new infrastructure expected to support more than 20 000 residential units and over 600 hectares of commercial and industrial development.

KDM believes the substation will also improve voltage stability, reduce fault restoration times and ease pressure on existing Eskom supply points.

However, the December deadline is not guaranteed. The report identifies several outstanding challenges, including landowner approval for the electricity cable routes, equipment delivery and the completion of remaining construction work.

Six possible routes have been investigated, with preliminary costs ranging from about R5.5-million to R13.8-million. The municipality prefers two routes costing approximately R5.5-million and R5.8-million respectively.

The landowner has so far approved more expensive alternatives, leaving the final route unresolved.

The municipality has recommended that progress be closely monitored and any delays be reported to the relevant council structures to ensure the project remains on track.