The importance of electricity security only becomes apparent when blackouts hit home.
To ensure a stable electricity supply, Umtshezi Municipality has embarked on a R10 million project at the John Erickson Substation in Keate Street.
This project, which is fully funded by the Energy Department, has seen the installation of a new 20 mega volt ampere (MVA) transformer and three circuit breakers.
In addition to the two older 15MVA transformers, the substation now has a greater capacity to supply electricity to its vast area, which includes, the entire central business district, a portion of Forderville, Estcourt Hospital and Mimosadale.
This is the first stage of this project and the electrical department’s final goal is to secure funding to replace the existing 15MVA transformers with its bigger 20MVA cousin.
At a later stage one of the 15MVA transformers will be installed in Wembezi. In addition to the installation of the transformer, the road leading to the substation had to be secure, as there is a large amount of ground water seeping through.
This ensures that heavy motor vehicles accessing the substation can do so safely. A new control panel and new breakers have also been installed inside the substation.
Senior Manager (Planning) in the electrical department Cyril Moodley said that this project will ensure the maintenance of the quality of electricity supply, adding that Estcourt was one of a few towns that can boast of minimal interruptions, secure and quality supply of electricity.