Soshanguve residents over the moon with early completion of substation upgrade
The substation refurbishment included the replacement of ageing infrastructure with modern 11kV vacuum switchgear breakers.
Residents of Soshanguve in the north of Pretoria are breathing a sigh of relief following the early completion of the long-awaited refurbishment to the Soshanguve IA substation.
The critical infrastructure upgrade promises to bring improved energy reliability to several areas previously plagued by power interruptions.
Tshwane MMC for Utility Services Frans Boshielo expressed satisfaction with the progress and praised the Energy and Electricity Department for completing the project ahead of schedule.
“This upgrade will significantly improve power reliability for the surrounding areas, including Soshanguve Blocks BB, JJ, and FF as well as the SPS line supplying Jukulyn,” said Boshielo.
The substation refurbishment included the replacement of ageing infrastructure with modern 11kV vacuum switchgear breakers.
Other improvements included the installation of new batteries and cables, a major overhaul of transformers and structural extensions to accommodate more switchgear panels, all aimed at improving energy resilience and ensuring redundancy in the power grid.
For Soshanguve residents, the news couldn’t have come at a better time.
Frequent power outages made daily life unpredictable for households across the affected blocks.
“This is a big win for us. The power outages impacted our lives negatively, and with winter coming, it’s a huge relief for us,” said Refilwe Mokoena.
Another resident, 19-year-old Kabelo Mahlangu from Block BB, said reliable electricity will enable him to prepare for his mid-year university exams.
“I depend on electricity for studying late at night. The outages made it hard to keep up.
“Now, I can finally plan my study sessions without worrying,” said Mahlangu.
Boshielo also noted that the substation upgrade is just one part of a broader energy stability strategy for the region.
“Our commitment to power stability extends beyond high-voltage substations.
“Plans are underway to replace cables and associated pieces of equipment downstream to further solidify energy supply in Soshanguve,” he said.
He said the metro remains dedicated to delivering a stable and efficient power supply to residents.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding throughout this project.”
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