Photo by: Duane Daws
Eskom has installed a R144 million transformer in Arconhoek in a bid to ensure reliable power supply to the communities in rural Bushbuckridge local municipality, Mpumalanga.
Eskom spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe said the commissioning of a new transformer at the Acornhoek substation is part of the power utility's continuing drive to upgrade its electricity infrastructure.
“The commissioning of this transformer forms part of Phase 1 of the transformation upgrade and will enable the substation to carry much more load, thus ensuring that the areas fed through this substation have a more reliable power supply,” said Phasiwe.
Phasiwe added that the second phase of the transformational upgrade at Acornhoek was underway and involved civil works and the assembling of the second transformer.
He said the second phase was expected to be completed by April 2016.
The project started in September 2014 and consists of two phases, which include the replacement of two old transformers with two new transformers that have bigger capacity to meet the growing electricity demand in areas such as Hazyview, Bushbuckridge and Acornhoek in Mpumalanga and Hoedspruit and other neighbouring towns like Phalaborwa in Limpopo.
Phasiwe added that since 2005, Eskom has been expanding its generation and transmission capacity to meet the country’s growing demand for energy.
He said Eskom’s nominal generating capacity in 2005 was 36 208 MW and the programme will increase this by 17 384 MW by 2021/22.
“The key generation expansion projects are the 4 764 MW Medupi and 4 800 MW Kusile coal-fired stations, and the Ingula pumped-storage scheme in the Drakensberg, which will deliver 1 332 MW of hydro-electricity during peak demand periods. Transmission line length and substation capacity will also increase substantially,” Phasiwe said.