City of Tshwane Municipality leadership at Kentron Substation in Centurion photos supplied
By Cllr Frans Boshielo
MMC for Utility Services
Today marks an important milestone in the City of Tshwane’s infrastructure renewal
journey as we officially complete upgrades to Kentron Substation in Centurion.
This project forms part of our Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Tour and is a flagship
intervention within the City’s Electricity Stabilisation Plan.
The completion of this project represents far more than the restoration of a piece of
electrical infrastructure.
It demonstrates the City’s commitment to rebuilding critical assets, strengthening service delivery, and creating the conditions necessary for economic growth, investment, and job creation.
The Kentron Substation occupies a strategic position within Tshwane’s electricity
network.
Located in Region 4, one of the City’s most significant economic hubs, the substation supplies power to large parts of Centurion and supports a mix of residential communities, commercial developments, industrial activity, business parks, retail centres, educational institutions, and public facilities.
Region 4 serves as a major gateway between Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni.
It is home to some of the City’s fastest-growing residential and commercial nodes and plays a critical role in attracting investment, supporting enterprise development, and facilitating economic activity.
Reliable electricity infrastructure in this region is therefore not merely a service delivery requirement; it is an economic imperative.
For many years, the Kentron Substation faced significant operational challenges
following fire damage and equipment failures that compromised its functionality and reduced network resilience.
These constraints placed pressure on the broader electricity distribution system and increased vulnerability to supply interruptions.
The rehabilitation of the facility and the restoration of its full 120MVA capacity represent a decisive intervention to address these legacy challenges.
The upgraded substation significantly improves the reliability and stability of electricity supply across the network while
strengthening the City’s ability to meet growing energy demand in the area.
The direct beneficiaries of this project include thousands of households across
Centurion and surrounding communities, as well as businesses operating within key
commercial and industrial precincts.
Residents will benefit from a more reliable
electricity supply, reduced risk of outages, improved voltage stability, and greater protection against power fluctuations that can damage household appliances and electronic equipment.
For the business community, the benefits are equally significant.
Reliable electricity is one of the most important factors influencing investor confidence and business competitiveness.
By strengthening network reliability, the City is helping to create a more stable operating environment for existing businesses while supporting future
economic expansion within the region.
The economic impact of this investment extends beyond electricity supply itself.
Improved network resilience enhances productivity, reduces the costs associated
with power interruptions, protects commercial operations, and supports the
continued growth of strategic economic nodes throughout Centurion.
Infrastructure certainty encourages private-sector investment, stimulates development activity, and contributes to broader economic growth across the metro.
This project also reflects the City’s commitment to ensuring that public infrastructure investment translates into tangible outcomes for communities.
Through our CAPEX Tour, we are actively monitoring, showcasing, and holding ourselves accountable for the delivery of infrastructure projects across all regions of Tshwane.
Having commenced in Region 1 and continued through Region 6, today’s visit to Region 4
demonstrates our determination to ensure that approved capital projects are
implemented, completed, and placed into service for the benefit of residents.
The refurbishment of the Kentron Substation further advances the objectives of the
City’s Electricity Stabilisation Plan, which focuses on restoring network reliability, reducing infrastructure backlogs, strengthening grid resilience, modernising ageing assets, and improving long-term service sustainability.
Through continued investment in maintenance, rehabilitation, and
strategic capital projects, we are building an electricity network capable of supporting Tshwane’s future growth and development.
We would like to acknowledge the engineers, technicians, project managers, contractors, and municipal officials whose expertise and
dedication made this achievement possible.
Their work has restored a critical component of our electricity network and reinforced the foundation upon which future economic growth can be built.
We also wish to thank the residents, businesses, and stakeholders who remained
engaged throughout the project.
Meaningful community participation remains an important pillar of infrastructure delivery and helps ensure that projects respond effectively to local needs and priorities.
A capable city requires capable infrastructure.
Today, the restoration of the Kentron
Substation brings us one step closer to achieving that vision.
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