Pretoria: The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has allocated R60 million towards strategic electricity infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving supply reliability, stimulating economic growth, and attracting investment.
According to South African Government News Agency, the investment is part of the municipality's ongoing infrastructure renewal programme and includes R35 million for the replacement of the Chelsea-Summerstrand 132kV powerline and R25 million to strengthen the electricity network within the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ). These projects are integral to the municipality's broader electricity infrastructure modernisation programme, which focuses on replacing ageing strategic assets, strengthening critical supply corridors, and ensuring the city's electricity network meets growing residential, commercial, and industrial demand.
The projects complement ongoing maintenance programmes, substation refurbishments, and planned network upgrades being implemented across the metro. The municipality stated that the Coega SEZ project will strengthen the electricity network to meet current demand while creating capacity for future industrial expansion within one of South Africa's most important investment destinations. Additionally, the replacement of the Chelsea-Summerstrand 132kV powerline will improve electricity supply stability to an area crucial to Nelson Mandela Bay's tourism and hospitality economy, reducing network vulnerability and supporting uninterrupted economic activity.
The municipality highlighted that the investments will also contribute to improving the overall stability of the municipal electricity network by protecting critical supply infrastructure that serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Mayor Babalwa Lobishe emphasized that reliable infrastructure remains a key economic development priority for the municipality. She stated that a dependable electricity network is fundamental to a competitive and growing city, highlighting that these investments are crucial for modernising the electricity network, maintaining critical assets, and fostering conditions conducive to investment, business expansion, and sustainable economic growth.
In addition to the R60 million investment, the municipality has allocated R13 million for uncategorised electrical infrastructure components and flexible capital budget items. This funding will support minor grid extensions, unplanned electrical maintenance, and the replacement and upgrading of critical electrical equipment to further enhance the reliability, resilience, and overall performance of the city's electricity network.
The municipality affirmed that these projects will be implemented through its approved capital programme, monitored through established governance and project management processes to ensure effective implementation, accountability, and value for money. It reiterated its commitment to modernising and maintaining critical infrastructure while improving service reliability, strengthening investor confidence, and creating an environment conducive to inclusive economic growth.
Furthermore, the municipality continues to balance strategic capital investment with routine maintenance, planned refurbishment of substations, and the replacement of ageing infrastructure. It stressed the importance of corrective maintenance as part of the city's asset management strategy and reiterated its commitment to protecting public infrastructure by strengthening security measures and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to combat vandalism, cable theft, and damage to electricity infrastructure. Residents, businesses, and community organisations are urged to report incidents of vandalism and infrastructure theft, with the municipality emphasizing that safeguarding public infrastructure is a collective responsibility essential for protecting service delivery and public investment.