Nearly 11 000 homes are a step closer to electrification, with the completion of a high voltage sub-station in Willowvale.
It is anticipated the new Eskom sub-station will connect power to homes in the region before mid-2017.
The R40-million Gatyana sub-station “energised” last Friday is in an area where there have been a number of violent service delivery protests, with the burning issue being a lack of electricity.
Eskom’s provincial spokeswoman Ntosh Mafumbatha said the sub-station would also stabilise electricity supply between Elliotdale, Willowvale and areas feeding off sub-stations in Dutywa.
She said the station was part of the Willowvale Area Strengthening Project to cope with an increasing demand for power in rural villages and towns under the Amathole District Municipality.
“To assist in strengthening the electricity infrastructure at the Gatyana sub-station, a new 132kV line was commissioned along with 22kV lines at a cost of R34.2-million.”
Eskom national spokesman Zama Mpondwana said: “Eskom continuously assesses the electricity infrastructure with the aim of ensuring that the expansion of the power system is optimally planned to sustain the demand that is placed on the power system.
“We took into account various sources of information such integrated development plans, future electrification connections, economic growth, water schemes and various developments within the municipalities.”
As soon as the department of energy approves a request for funding by municipal and Eskom officials, electricity rollout will be implemented in various phases throughout the area.
Lack of electricity in Elliotdale has often sparked violent service delivery protests, which has hampered delivery of other government services and caused huge damage to infrastructure.
Last week, the Daily Dispatch reported that schools and a clinic in Mbhanyana administrative area were affected after hundreds of residents from at least 10 villages took to the streets demanding electricity. They rejected the solar systems the municipality had offered as a temporary measure.
Yesterday, Mbashe local municipality mayor Nonceba Mfecane acknowledged there was a huge backlog in Elliotdale that could take another five years to address.
Referring to service delivery protests, she said: “I’m hoping things will become quieter. The new sub-station will benefit residents, especially Xhorha , which has a huge backlog.”
Mfecane called on residents who were not yet connected to the power grid to accept the solar panels as a temporary measure. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Willowvale sub-station meets need
It is anticipated the new Eskom sub-station will connect power to homes in the region before mid-2017.
The R40-million Gatyana sub-station “energised” last Friday is in an area where there have been a number of violent service delivery protests, with the burning issue being a lack of electricity.
Eskom’s provincial spokeswoman Ntosh Mafumbatha said the sub-station would also stabilise electricity supply between Elliotdale, Willowvale and areas feeding off sub-stations in Dutywa.
She said the station was part of the Willowvale Area Strengthening Project to cope with an increasing demand for power in rural villages and towns under the Amathole District Municipality.
“To assist in strengthening the electricity infrastructure at the Gatyana sub-station, a new 132kV line was commissioned along with 22kV lines at a cost of R34.2-million.”
Eskom national spokesman Zama Mpondwana said: “Eskom continuously assesses the electricity infrastructure with the aim of ensuring that the expansion of the power system is optimally planned to sustain the demand that is placed on the power system.
“We took into account various sources of information such integrated development plans, future electrification connections, economic growth, water schemes and various developments within the municipalities.”
As soon as the department of energy approves a request for funding by municipal and Eskom officials, electricity rollout will be implemented in various phases throughout the area.
Lack of electricity in Elliotdale has often sparked violent service delivery protests, which has hampered delivery of other government services and caused huge damage to infrastructure.
Last week, the Daily Dispatch reported that schools and a clinic in Mbhanyana administrative area were affected after hundreds of residents from at least 10 villages took to the streets demanding electricity. They rejected the solar systems the municipality had offered as a temporary measure.
Yesterday, Mbashe local municipality mayor Nonceba Mfecane acknowledged there was a huge backlog in Elliotdale that could take another five years to address.
Referring to service delivery protests, she said: “I’m hoping things will become quieter. The new sub-station will benefit residents, especially Xhorha , which has a huge backlog.”
Mfecane called on residents who were not yet connected to the power grid to accept the solar panels as a temporary measure. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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