Refurbishment of Kentron substation to cost over R100m

The refurbishment of the Kentron substation in Rooihuiskraal will cost over R100-million – despite the Tshwane metro saying in 2022 that it would cost only R30-million.

The upgrade is, however, expected to drastically improve the power supply to the Swartkop, Eco Park, Highveld and Southdowns areas.

These are residents who dutifully pay their municipal accounts, and so we have a responsibility to ensure that we thank them by delivering on our commitments. #TshwaneBudget22

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) May 20, 2022

The substation has been plagued by fires, cable theft, reoccurring power trips, and even lightning leading to power outages affecting various parts of Centurion.

A member of the newly elected project steering committee, Mojasagae Selamolela, said the refurbishment of the much-needed substation would take two years.

According to Selamolela, the committee serves as a bridge between the contractor and the community, to assist as a custodian of accountability and an information-sharing system.

Local ward councillor Gert Visser said he was excited about the project as a stable electricity network would benefit the metro, especially parts of Centurion.

“This substation will create the opportunity for future investment in the ward.

“Proactive maintenance of substations in our ward remains essential to ensure consistent and reliable power supply.”

Visser said although Doringkloof, NIVS (Denel) and Kosmosdal substations had been upgraded, “to some extent, the ultimate goal is to build new substations to accommodate the growing demand for consistent and reliable power supply in our ward”.

He said an allocated budget to the electricity department was also aimed at improving the power supply to Eco Park, Zwartkop, Highveld Techno Park, Highveld and Centurion Residential Estate (west).

Visser said the partnership between the private sector and the government opened up the opportunity for private businesses to invoke their corporate responsibility investment as an ancillary objective during the construction period.

Metro’s spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed to Rekord that the City’s energy and electricity department was part of the processes that oversaw the establishment of the committee.

“The committee was appointed on January 19, 2023, and consists of six members from ward 65,” Bokaba said.

He said the project began in late October 2022 and is due to be completed in April 2025.

When asked about the cost of the project, Bokaba said that normally projects of this nature cost a lot of money as Kentron was an old substation, adding that the municipality would likely have to do everything from scratch.

“The value of the contract for the refurbishment of Kentron substation is R104-million”.

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The Kosmosdal electricity substation upgrade, which cost about R65-million, was also the result of a private partnership between the municipality and the private sector.

At the time, the City said the new capacity of the substation had enabled new development as well as boosted the local economy.

MMC for Utilities and Regional Operations, Daryl Johnston said the upgrade had brought a positive impact, specifically for commercial customers, who made financial contributions to facilitate the project.

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