Metro upgrades key substations but residents still face outages
Substations and networks are being upgraded from Centurion to Soshanguve, to cut avoidable outages and support industries and residents.
Louwlardia Substation in Centurion now boasts new panels, a camera, an alarm system, and an upgraded protection system.
This as the metro says it is making steady progress in eliminating service interruptions by stabilising electricity networks across the city.
MMC for Utility Services, Frans Boshielo, said the refurbishment of the substation was one of the key interventions in the region and was needed to help eliminate power supply interruptions and deter crime.
He said other sites in Region 4 had also been boosted with interventions.
“Fragile cables in Olievenhoutbosch’s Rua Vista [substation] were also replaced, while the PPC Mine [substation], which had struggled with an unreliable power supply, now benefits from a dedicated overhead line installed exclusively to serve the mine,” said Boshielo.
He noted that these interventions were vital to boosting electricity reliability in a region that supports both major industries and residential communities.
However, PR Councillor Henriette Fröhlich, who recently visited the Rua Vista substation site, painted a more cautious picture.
Although Energy & Electricity Dept reported work done in 2024/25 FY to strengthen the network at Rua Vista substation, ActionSA notes that 3 of the 4 feeder cables remain faulty. We will continue to advocate for the repair of atleast one more faulty cable. #CenturionMatters pic.twitter.com/wB3ZfBFoJk
— ActionSA Tshwane Caucus (@ActionSATshwane) August 11, 2025
She explained that despite upgrades to both Rua Vista and Louwlardia substations in the final quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, residents report ongoing challenges.
“Although some upgrades have been made at the Rua Vista substation, only one of the four cables has been fixed and is currently operational,” Fröhlich said.
She said if the power trips on the single cable, residents remain without electricity until it is restored.
She added that some users were shifted from Rua Vista, improving capacity, but the reliance on just one functioning cable leaves the community vulnerable.
Fröhlich urged the city to ensure a second cable is brought online to serve as a backup, providing greater resilience when outages occur.
Thatchfield resident Grace Heynes described how the community continues to feel the impact of unstable electricity.
“When there is a cable fault or trip at the substation, we are left without power for hours, disrupting daily life and making it hard to keep appliances running or plan ahead.”
Heynes expressed frustration that despite some upgrades and promises, many households remain vulnerable to extended outages.
She highlighted that the incomplete infrastructure work means residents are still at the mercy of outages that could be prevented.
Boshielo explained that the upgrades in Region 4 form part of a broader metro-wide programme to eliminate avoidable power outages by stabilising historically problematic parts of the electricity network.
“In the 2024/25 financial year, our energy and electricity business unit was able to strengthen previously problematic networks, leading to decreased service interruptions in residential and industrial areas. These areas are now stabilised,” said Boshielo.
MMC For Utility Services
Electricity & Energy Business Unit Progress made in eliminating service interruptions by stabilising problematic electricity networks @CityTshwane @kholofeloMorodi @nasiphim pic.twitter.com/ieLJOwepJl— MMC Frans Boshielo (@MMCBoshielo) August 12, 2025
He said in Region 3, Proclamation Hill residents had endured frequent power failures due to overloading, prompting upgrades to the low-voltage network at three mini-substations.
“Two more mini-substation upgrades will be prioritised for the 2025/26 financial year,” he said.
“In Fortsig, an MVS60 11KV headline was upgraded, significantly reducing power failures in the area.”
The MMC said that in Region 7’s Zithobeni, the metro upgraded low-voltage networks and two transformers.
In Region 1, the low-voltage network in Soshanguve Block K was upgraded, while in Soshanguve Blocks BB and DD, the network was stabilised through the installation of new cables following upgrades to the IA Substation.
Boshielo added that Region 6 also saw substantial progress, with the Nelmapius and Eesterust substations refurbished with new equipment and panels.
“The Waltloo-Njala powerline was reinstated to its capacity of 300 MVA, a move expected to benefit industrial sectors in Silverton, Waltloo, and Koedoespoort once they are connected to the N4 powerline.”
He confirmed that the Wapadrand and Mooikloof substations were successfully connected earlier this year.
Boshielo reassured residents the metro will continue to work to ensure that residents and industries are less burdened by power outages that can be avoided through regular infrastructure maintenance.
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