GEORGE NEWS - A new 66 kV municipal substation planned for Thembalethu will not only provide adequate capacity for growth in the area, but also improve the reliability of the electrical supply and provide additional job opportunities as the electrification projects are completed.
Once completed, this will be the biggest 66/11kV substation in the Southern Cape, and one of the biggest electrical capital expansion projects embarked on by the George Municipality over the last decade.
The planning for the substation goes as far back as 20 years ago, when the Ballots Bay 11kV substation in the southern part of Thembalethu was established. This 11kV substation project at the time also made provision for a 66kV substation. The electrical master plans for George indicated that a 66kV substation would be needed in the future.
The electrification of the formalised as well as informal areas in Thembalethu cannot continue without the upgrading of the bulk services in Thembalethu. The establishment of the substation is a key project in this regard.
Subsequently, the 66kV power line section between Thembalethu and the Glenwood substation in Knysna Road has also been completed to place the new Thembalethu 66kV substation on a ring feed.
Final designs
Following standard supply chain processes, the tender was awarded this year. The appointed contractor has provided all of the initial procurement documentation and is in the process of completing the final construction designs and drawings based on the equipment to be supplied.
The construction of the civil work can begin as a construction work permit has been issued by the Department of Labour.
The first phase of the substation, which will include the commissioning of the 66kV yard, first power transformer and 11kV switchgear, should be completed in 18 months. It is envisaged that the full project will be completed over three years, as and when funding becomes available.
History
An environmental impact study (EIA) was finalised in 2008 to gain approval for the 66kV power line routes to the various proposed substations in George, including the power lines to Thembalethu.
In 2011, the new 132kV Schaapkop substation was established to provide sufficient capacity after the existing Eskom bulk supply had reached capacity in George, following the growth in electricity demand in George and Thembalethu. The bulk municipal electrical supply to Thembalethu also reached capacity and had to be increased to enable the electrification programme to continue.
A presentation was made to the George Council in 2013 to acquire funds for the first phase of establishing the 66kV substation in Thembalethu. Funds were provided and the 66kV power line from SS Protea in Pacaltsdorp to Thembalethu was built in 2014/15.
This power line is energised at 11kV to supplement the capacity and will be energised at 66kV to supply the new 66kV substation once it is completed.
During a UISP* (Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme) community presentation in July 2014, Thembalethu residents were informed about an analysis completed to determine the impact of the additional electrical load (from the completed electrification projects) on the existing Thembalethu electrical network.
At that stage the first section of the 66kV power line between Protea substation and Thembalethu's 66/11kV substation would have to be established and operated on 11kV before any further electrification could take place.
Further urgent upgrades included the establishment of the municipal 66/11kV substation.
Photograph of a similar substation design.
Thembalethu 66kV Substation
The position of the 66kV substation was changed slightly to accommodate the final 66kV line route that is aligned to the proposed main southern arterial road, and a revised EIA for the new position was approved in 2016. The detailed planning of the substation began in 2017.
The substation's construction consists mostly of the manufacturing, supply and installation of 11kV and 66kV equipment, two new 66/11kV 20MVA power transformers and ancillary protection and control equipment. The construction and commissioning of the substation requires specialised engineers and artisans.
The Thembalethu UISP housing project was approved in 2010 and will provide 4 350 families with a serviced site with access to water, sanitation and electricity. The top structures will follow incrementally. As at 30 June 2021, 662 top structures had been built and handed over to beneficiaries and 2 126 sites were serviced. Phase One of the UISP, which delivered 1 746 serviced sites, was completed in June 2016, with 662 top structures to date. Phase Two is currently underway with 380 serviced sites completed to date. The UISP is funded by the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements and the George Municipality is acting as the developer.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
