City upgrades Oakdale electricity infrastructure

City upgrades Oakdale electricity infrastructure

23 September 2026

City Energy teams are strengthening electricity infrastructure in the Oakdale area of Bellville with the replacement of a mini substation as part of its ongoing infrastructure renewal and network enhancement programme.

‘This R687 000 investment in Oakdale is part of a R18 million infrastructure upgrade programme in the broader Bellville district. This will see a total of 18 system replacement projects, comprising of 10 mini-substation upgrades and the undergrounding of overhead cables using modern technologies to further enhance the reliability of our electricity network in this region.

‘These investments demonstrate our commitment to building a reliable and resilient electricity network that is fit for future demands. The replacement of the mini substation will modernise ageing infrastructure while also providing our teams with greater flexibility when carrying out maintenance and responding to network requirements.

 

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‘The installation of switchable Medium Voltage equipment is particularly important. The new equipment will enable sections of the network to be isolated during maintenance activities, reducing the number of customers affected by planned upgrades. This will improve service continuity while allowing our teams to carry out critical maintenance more efficiently. 

‘Our teams will continue to invest in infrastructure across the city, with projects such as this upgrade forming part of the City's wider commitment to modernising the electricity grid. We thank all stakeholders for their support while we work to improve and strengthen our infrastructure,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.


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Bloemhof Depot Upgrade Project

  • R18 million budgeted in current FY 2026/27
  • 10 mini-substation replacement projects
  • Eight Ring Main Unit (RMU) replacement projects
  • Overhead-to-Underground cabling conversion projects 

Let’s ACT: Protect Your Power against theft, illegal connections and vandalism 

We continue to call on residents to be our eyes and ears on the ground and report all suspicious activity to prevent illegal connections and theft that damages and destroys the good investments we are making in every City-supplied community across the metro 

  • Report suspicious behaviour to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre: 021 480 7700
  • Report illegal scrap yards to the ‘Copperheads’: 0800 222 771 (toll free, 24/7, anonymous tip-offs) 


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SAPS remains the lead authority in crime prevention.

Report to the City

Streetlight and electricity faults:

Call Centre: 0860 103 089

SMS: 31220

WhatsApp: 060 018 1505

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