Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) has announced plans to procure pole-mounted transformers as part of urgent interventions aimed at stabilising electricity supply following a spate of outages affecting several communities.

The municipality said the move comes after repeated power disruptions linked to ageing infrastructure, overloading of the network, as well as damage caused by cable theft and vandalism. These challenges have left many households and businesses without reliable electricity in recent weeks.

According to RWCLM spokesperson Phillip Montshiwa, the municipality is currently engaging with suppliers to source the required 6.6kV pole-mounted transformers. However, there are delays due to limited availability, as most available stock consists of 11kV transformers, which are not compatible with the RWCLM network.

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The procurement of pole-mounted transformers will allow for quicker installation and replacement in affected areas, reducing downtime and improving response times during outages. Unlike traditional ground-mounted units, pole-mounted transformers are easier to deploy and are expected to strengthen the resilience of the local electricity grid.

Residents have expressed frustration over prolonged outages, with some areas experiencing repeated interruptions that have disrupted daily life and economic activity.

While no specific timelines have been confirmed, the municipality indicated that procurement processes are underway and that implementation will begin once approvals and sourcing have been finalised.