Cash strapped Enoch Mgijima Local
Municipality (EMLM) has set aside close to R2 million to install electricity in
informal settlements in Komani as a means to eradicate illegal connections and
enhance revenue collection.
The municipality said over several years the
electricity infrastructure has been neglected as it was not maintained due to
lack of funding.
In a council agenda item approved this week, it said the
neglect of the infrastructure led to unplanned outages and customer
dissatisfaction. Council approved a budget of R1 680 000 for the electrification
project and upgrading of the Mlungisi substation.
The municipality
currently had a revenue shortfall due to many bypasses, illegal connections and
losses within the network. Council heard that the unplanned outages were
compounded by the high replacement number of transformers which were damaged
due to illegally connections on municipal grid.
“There is discontent and
inconvenience from residents that are honestly reimbursing the municipality for
services rendered (and) damage to municipal electrical assets is prevalent as a
cause for concern because of illegal connections. The additional load which is
regarded as a loss to the municipality has over the years resulted in the Mlungisi
substation to buckle under pressure due to unwarranted demand of electricity,”
it was reported.
Subsequently,
there were indications of failure by the
15 MVA transformer to provide electricity sufficiently to the residents and
business sector in the area.
The electrification of the informal settlements
depended on the upgrading of the Mlungisi substation. As a result, council
approved that all informal settlements be electrified to eradicate illegal
connections and for an affordable tariff for informal settlements dwellers be
agreed upon.
“Smart meters are to be installed in all informal settlements as
part of curbing electricity theft and revenue enhancement. Mlungisi substation will be upgraded to cater for the
proposed project.”
Council agreed that the (contract for the) contractor
dealing with the Western Substation’s scope of work be extended to immediately
commence with the upgrading of the Mlungisi substation. The Western Substation
caught alight on May 6.
Work to replace the 20MVA transformer started in the first week of June.
