By Cllr Frans Boshielo
MMC for Utility Services
The Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya, and the Deputy Executive Mayor and MMC for Finance, Cllr Eugene Modise, for the oversight visit and official handover of the Mooikloof and Wapadrand substations in Region 6.
The handover forms part of the Multiparty Coalition Government’s Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Oversight Programme, aimed at strengthening accountability, accelerating infrastructure delivery, and ensuring visible progress on critical service
delivery projects.
The projects also form part of the City’s broader Electricity Stabilisation Plan, which is focused on strengthening electricity infrastructure, improving reliability, reducing outages, protecting critical assets, and ensuring the City is able to meet growing electricity demand across Tshwane.
Speaking during the handover, MMC Boshielo said the projects represent a major
milestone in restoring network resilience and supporting long-term growth in the
eastern parts of Tshwane.
“These substations are strategically important to the stability and future growth of Pretoria East.
They improve supply reliability, strengthen network resilience, restore critical capacity, and position the City to support continued residential, commercial and economic expansion in Region 6,” said MMC Boshielo.
The Mooikloof Substation is a 132/11kV primary substation supplied from the Njala
Infeed Substation.
It supplies key residential and commercial areas including Woodlands Estate, Woodhill Estate, Mooikloof Estate, Moreleta Park, the Atterbury precinct, and critical institutions such as Netcare Pretoria East Hospital and surrounding business nodes.
The substation experienced repeated fire damage, with the latest major incident occurring on 1 December 2021,which necessitated a full refurbishment programme.
The project commenced with planning in January 2021, the contract was awarded in
December 2021, and site establishment took place in March 2022.
The total project value amounts to R70,3 million excluding VAT, with expenditure
currently at 100%.
The scope of work included refurbishment of fire-damaged buildings, installation of
new 11kV and 132kV equipment, SCADA systems, batteries, CCTV infrastructure,
and associated network upgrades.
Despite challenges including equipment shortages, adverse weather conditions, and
a third fire incident during implementation, the project is now practically complete and in its defect liability period.
All consumer supply cables are fully operational.
The project restores substation capacity from 70MVA to 105MVA and supports
approximately 7 000 households while unlocking additional development potential in the eastern corridor of Tshwane.
The project also delivered important socioeconomic benefits, including participation by 36 EPWP workers, approximately R3,5 million in SMME expenditure, and the creation of around 70 jobs.
The Wapadrand Substation is likewise a 132/11kV facility supplying key Pretoria
East communities and economic nodes including Silver Lakes, Faerie Glen,
Wapadrand, Lombardy Estate, Koedoesberg, Willow Park Manor, parts of Equestria,
and surrounding residential and commercial developments.
The substation also supports important economic activity and growing mixed-use
development in the eastern growth corridor.
The facility suffered major fire damage on 21 July 2021, requiring substantial
refurbishment and infrastructure replacement.
Planning for the project commenced in January 2021, the contract was
awarded in October 2021, and construction started in November 2021.
The project value amounts to R117,1 million excluding VAT, with expenditure currently at R108,8 million and overall completion at 93%.
The scope included installation of new switchgear stages, upgraded control rooms,
SCADA systems, protection systems, and associated electrical infrastructure.
Despite financial delays, adverse weather conditions, and global equipment
shortages, the project is now practically complete and operational.
The project restores full capacity of 105MVA, unlocks an additional 35MVA for future growth, and benefits approximately 7 000 households across Pretoria East.
The project further delivered 36 EPWP opportunities, approximately R7,7 million in SMME participation, and around 300 direct and indirect jobs.
MMC Boshielo said the completion of the projects addresses long-standing
challenges relating to outages, constrained maintenance capacity, poor reliability,
and limited network redundancy.
“These projects demonstrate the City’s commitment to infrastructure-led service
delivery and to building a modern, resilient electricity network capable of supporting both current residents and future growth.
Reliable electricity infrastructure remains
fundamental to economic development, investor confidence, public safety, and
restoring dignity to our communities,” said MMC Boshielo.
The City of Tshwane will continue to prioritise strategic electricity infrastructure investment through the Electricity Stabilisation Plan as part of the broader effort to strengthen service delivery and improve the quality of life for residents across Tshwane.
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