Transformer upgrade needed to address iSimangaliso power woes

Upgrading of a transformer is required to address electricity supply issues at iSimangaliso Wetland Park’s offices in St Lucia.

The park’s media liaison officer, Bheki Manzini, said an application for this to be done to supply the Dreger Harbour offices, has been made to Eskom ‘and the matter is being processed’.

“iSimangaliso is optimistic that the request will be attended to soon,” said Manzini.

The need to upgrade the transformer came as advice from technicians, explained Manzini, who added that ‘we have been switching between back-up power and Eskom, depending on the level of power demand’.

“The iSimangaliso park has live electricity supply from Eskom and it is fully operational. The transformer capacity challenge affects only the Dredger offices. The back-up power is part of the energy saving plan of the entity and it is therefore budgeted for as such. The current expenditure is within the budget.

“To find a lasting solution, iSimangaliso has been looking at alternative power supply, which includes solar energy. Planning studies are already in place,” said Manzini.

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