R300m invested for cutting-edge upgrade of Bellville South electricity switching station

Mayco member for energy, Xanthea Limberg. Picture: supplied

Mayco member for energy, Xanthea Limberg. Picture: supplied

Published Sep 3, 2024

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Cape Town - The City is investing more than R300 million in cutting-edge upgrades of its high-voltage Triangle Farm electricity switching station in Bellville South.

The upgrades will assist in enabling the reliable supply to residents, businesses and many large power users in the area.

The project's planned budget over five years is R318 million and will include the construction of a new switching station building as well as infrastructure network strengthening and new equipment.

Mayco member for energy, Xanthea Limberg, said Cape Town was one of the fastest-growing cities in South Africa and the particular upgrade was essential to prepare the city for easing the capacity of the switching station’s infrastructure.

“Once completed, this will not only have immediate benefits for several existing households, but will also attract and support major industries such as large data centres and independent power producers to set up shop in Cape Town.

“The City is committed to ensuring a reliable and safe electricity supply to all communities, and to achieve this goal, we are investing significantly into our critical infrastructure, with more than R4 billion planned to be spent over the next three years.

“The Triangle Farm upgrade will significantly enhance the stability, efficiency and capacity of the infrastructure, and we are pleased to announce that the work is on schedule and will be completed in December 2025, if all goes as planned.”

Limberg added that the municipality had set a South African record for the largest single-year infrastructure investment across all directorates within the City.

“The Energy Directorate is a top performer again, and has spent R1.1bn or 94% of its infrastructure budget for the 2023/24 Financial Year. The hard work by our officials on the ground and our dedication to infrastructure investment demonstrates our commitment to building a resilient energy future for our communities,“ he said.

Cape Argus