Blesbok substation to undergo major refurbishment
Upgrade to replace ageing switchgear, install modern protection and control systems, and enhance grid stability by mid-2026.
Image for illustrative purposes
South Africa, Pretoria: Refurbishment of the Blesbok 11 kV Secondary Substation will begin on 10 November 2025 and continue until May 2026, addressing long-standing reliability issues caused by ageing infrastructure.
The upgrade includes replacing obsolete switchgear with modern equipment, installing advanced protection and control systems, improving lighting and security, and carrying out general facility upgrades.
According to Frans Boshielo, MMC for Utility Services, the new systems will significantly improve operational flexibility and reliability. “Once refurbished, the substation will provide stable electricity supply and allow faults to be isolated to specific network sections without affecting the entire area,” he explained.
The project also includes local development benefits, with employment opportunities and subcontracting for community-based service providers. The modernisation aims to reduce frequent outages that have affected nearby communities, including Queenswood, Koedespoort Industrial, and Elandsfontein.
Ward 84 Councillor Anru Meyer welcomed the initiative, noting that the new technology will include off-site monitoring systems to track load and prevent unnecessary trips. “Once complete, it should resolve more than half of our local grid instability issues,” he said.
The Blesbok Substation upgrade reflects the growing need for modern, reliable infrastructure to support rising electricity demand and local economic growth.
Source: Rekord
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