The City of Cape Town’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department is carrying out an important R22 million high voltage overhead refurbishment programme which will insulate the 66kV and 132kV high voltage power lines with the newest generation silicone rubber composite insulators. These insulators deliver superior performance, are lighter and easier to handle, are less prone to damage and will extend the lifespan of the infrastructure.
The City is busy with important maintenance and upgrades of critical high voltage electricity infrastructure in areas across the metro. The high voltage electricity infrastructure refurbishment project is being carried out over three years, from 2021 to 2023.
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The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Phindile Maxiti said that the upgrades and maintenance will play an important role in enhancing reliable electricity provision to residents and businesses in areas across the city. City electricity teams will also attend to the critical components of the high voltage infrastructure, such as the metal conductors, as well as the steel structures which support the conductors and insulators.
“This project will ensure that the City’s 66kV and 132kV high voltage power lines are protected and are safe to operate for a further 25 years. This is in line with the Energy and Climate Change Directorate’s vision of providing a safe and reliable power supply to all energy users within the city. We thank our teams for their hard work and dedication. Importantly, this is an example of what we use tariff income for.
“All income is used to provide reliable services and to cover the costs of service provision. Eskom’s massive 17,8% increase in the electricity price is having a big impact but as a City we continue to make sure we keep costs to the minimum required without placing services at risk,” said Councillor Maxiti.
