Johannesburg allocates R700 million to combat cable theft in Honeydew

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Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero announced that the city secured R700 million in additional capital funding to strengthen electricity infrastructure and address capacity issues in the Honeydew, Amarosa, Ruimsig, and Weltevredenpark areas. City Power Acting CEO Charles Tlouane noted that theft and vandalism accounted for 20% of local power outages, with copper theft specifically cited as a primary driver of service disruptions. To combat these issues, City Power initiated efforts to replace copper cables with aluminium and highlighted the Lutz Substation project, which is 85% complete and expected to increase bulk capacity by 2027. This investment addresses the concerns of a local customer base where 94% of residents in Wards 83, 85, and 97 currently purchase electricity lawfully.

Consequences

The shift from copper to aluminium cables is intended to reduce the financial incentive for theft, potentially stabilizing the local power supply for compliant customers. The planned completion of the Lutz Substation in 2027 is expected to bolster the region's overall electricity capacity and resolve infrastructure issues currently affecting local streetlights and traffic lights.

Sources

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