Power to the people as ground breaks on Dukuza substation

The scourge of ongoing loadshedding has placed increased pressure on aging electricity grids countrywide.

In order to increase both the capacity and stability of the grid in the southern region of the KwaDukuza municipality (KDM), the Dukuza substation is being built.

Regardless of how you feel about loadshedding or KDM’s handling of its electrical infrastructure, there is no denying the constant switching is partially to blame for faults.

Switching occurs when loadshedding either begins or ends in a certain area and the infrastructure feeding that area has to be switched on or off.

Whether it is manual switching or from afar, these changeover periods are when many faults appear.

This happens most frequently when the power is switched back on and the appliances of thousands of households and businesses all begin to draw power at once, causing a surge.

It is hoped that the construction of the Dukuza substation, which is located on the north-western side of the train tracks opposite Umhlali Golf Estate, will be better equipped to deal with these issues.

KDM spokesperson, Sipho Mkhize, said the Dukuza 132/33 Kilovolt (kV) substation will provide the main point of supply to the greater southern part of the municipality.

“It will assist towards the strengthening of the 33kV grid which is about to reach saturation due to rapid increase in demand, as well as improve reliability across the network with the implementation of additional 33kV feeders integrating onto the existing network,” he said.

Once online, the substation should significantly increase the capacity in the area too, from the current 30 megavolt amperes (MVA) to 80MVA.

This should secure the supply of electricity, allowing for the rapid development of the area to continue.

“The substation will service the part of KDM bordering the eThekwini Metro and Dube TradePort Aerotropolis along the N2 and R102 corridor. The area’s proximity to the King Shaka International Airport, Dube Tradeport, N2 and R102 corridors and Ballito as a commercial and tourist destination has caused high growth and demand,” he said.

Electrical stability will be a large factor in future investment and development in the area, he said.

Additional switch rooms are being built as well, which should better manage the switching process and allow for faster response in the case of faults.

Pre-construction work, including removing sand and levelling, began last September with the entire project expected to finish by June next year, with a handover the following month.

There have been some concerns about delays at the site, but Mkhize said they had been managed and that it had not affected the overall completion date.

“Minimal delays from construction commencement have occurred owing to water ingression onto the site and the removal of sugar cane. Contingency measures are in place to enable the completion of bulk civil works.”

Mkhize did not respond regarding the overall cost of the project, but it was budgeted at R256-million when it went through the council approval process last year.

Zutari are the consulting engineers and Veritas are the contractors.

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