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Est 2009 Issue 9 - 2015
5 - 12 March 2015
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Solution for power outages Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za
J
oburg’s electricity utility, City Power has spent more than R267 million over the past four years to replace low voltage copper overhead power lines (LV Lines) with Aerial Bundle Conductors (ABC) to reduce power outages and curb cable theft, which costs millions of rands every year, the utility said in a statement. “A further R360 million will be invested in this aluminium infrastructure, which is less prone to theft over the next three financial years, bringing the total expenditure over a seven-year period to more than R627 million. About R60 million will be spent in the 2015-2016 financial year, and another R160 million in the year thereafter. The balance of R140 million will be spent on the project in 2017-2018,” the statement added. Environment and Infrastructure Services MMC Matshidiso Mfikoe says the system was piloted in Chrisville, Rosettenville, Hyde Park and Bramley, costing R14.84 million in 2011-2012. “The expenditure was increased to R123.9 million the following year. The budget for the project in 2013-2014 was R78.3 million and R60-million in the current financial year. The purpose of this project is to convert the current problematic low voltage distribution system to a more desirable and reliable system in various identified areas. The idea is
to minimise power outages and prevent infrastructure theft. With copper LV lines, when we experience a lot of wind accompanied by rain, power lines are tripped and we have outages. But with these ABC conductors, we don’t experience that. MMC Mfikoe adds that there have been fewer power outages in affected areas since the ABC system was installed. “These conductors are made of aluminium encased in tough PVC sheathing and are of less value to the thieves. The conductors have also proved to be much more durable in various environmental conditions and are not prone to theft. Copper LV lines are easy to steal because they comprise bare copper, which does not need to be stripped. In areas where we have installed ABC conductors, which are bigger and difficult to cut, we have far less infrastructure theft.” She adds that City Power has prioritised the fight against copper theft through organisations such as the Association of the Municipal Electricity Undertakings of Southern Africa. “The power utility has, together with organised business, municipalities and law enforcement agencies, agreed to lobby the Government to classify cable theft as an act of treason.” Last year there were 72 533 copper cable thefts, and over 10 736 arrests were made. Cable theft is estimated to cost the economy about R5 billion a year, and it has been declared a high-priority crime, Mfikoe adds.
‘The idea is to minimise power outages and prevent infrastructure theft. With copper LV lines, when we experience a lot of wind accompanied by rain, power lines are tripped and we have outages, but with these ABC conductors, we don’t experience that’
The new power system is expected to reduce power outages in the city.