Digging for electricity begins

Dolphin Coasters can look forward to a bright Christmas this year, as the new Sheffield substation cables should be complete by December.

The substation is about to get plugged into the grid in order to provide power to the greater Ward 22 area, according to councillor Malcolm Hubner.

“This will enable power to be supplied to Umhlali, Brettenwood, Taffeni, Sheffield, Salt Rock, Shakas Rock and the Simbithi area,” he said,

Cato Ridge Electrical started working on the 8,5 kilometre long cable this week.

Consultant electrical engineer, Richard Breytenbach from Elliott Breytenbach and Gray said the cable will be completed before Christmas.

“The land surveyor started pegging the four metre wide electrical cable servitude, which runs from the Shakaskraal switch room to the new Sheffield substation,” said Breytenbach.

“Once pegged, the contractor will commence with digging the 1,4m deep trench and laying the two new cables,” he said.

Breytenbach added that the reason for the two cables is that if either cable faults or is damaged in the future, the other cable will be able to handle the full power load.

According to Hubner, this project will cost KDM in the region of R12 million, in addition to the substation costs of around R20 million.

“The cable will help to reduce the current overload situation, which causes ongoing outages experienced after load shedding,” he said.

Bosch Project’s Derek Serfontein said the 33kV line will make a difference, but because of the continuous development in the area, the cable will only be a short term solution and that further lines will have to be considered.