GEORGE NEWS - The new 66/11kV 40MVA electrical substation which is currently under construction in Thembalethu, will not only improve reliability and provide adequate capacity of electrical supply to the area, but is also one of the largest of its kind in the Southern Cape and a major bulk infrastructure milestone for the city.
The new substation will alleviate load on the substations that are currently supplying Thembalethu and serves as an important catalyst for investment funding from both the state and business.
"George Municipality is a key growth area for many investors, but it requires certain very expensive bulk infrastructure to support the growth," says George Mayor Leon van Wyk.
"The allocation of supportive funding from the national Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to build this substation signals trust in the local authority to facilitate growth and service delivery.
"In turn, the municipality can provide the kind of infrastructure required for outside manufacturers and business to invest and for housing supportive facilities to be developed across the municipal area."
Adequate capacity will be provided
Municipality Director of Electrotechnical Services Bongani Mandla says when completed, the substation will provide power to Thembalethu and other suburbs east of the N2 that are currently supplied from substations across the highway.
"The overall impact on the city's grid will be adequate capacity for a growing city and more reliable supply to especially the eastern areas."
Construction update
Construction on the Thembalethu 66kV substation will run across three financial years. The first phase, costing about R30-million, is funded two thirds by the municipality and the rest by the Integrated National Electrification Programme grant (INEP) of the national Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
The entire project is costed at an estimated R58m.
The construction of an engineered platform for the new substation is well underway. The construction of the platform, roadworks, oil dam, concrete plinths, installation of the water mains, sewer lines, the erection of the security fence and electrical infrastructure, that form part of the platform, are due for completion by the end of October 2022.
The electrical design and procurement of material as per the final design for the electrical works has progressed well. This includes the steel supports, switchgear, earth mat, electrical protection and ripple control.
The substation's construction, which will commence early in 2023, 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.
Background
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.
An environmental impact study (EIA) was finalised in 2008 to gain approval for the 66kV powerline 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. The bulk municipal electrical supply to Thembalethu also reached capacity and had to be increased to enable the electrification programme to continue.
Funds were provided for the first phase of the establishment of the 66kV substation, 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 Thembalethu in July 2014, the public was updated about an analysis completed to determine the impact of the additional electrical load on the existing Thembalethu electrical network.
At this 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 can take place.
Further urgent upgrades included the establishment of the municipal 66/11kV substation.
The electrification of both the formalised and 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.
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