Eskom to install additional mini-substation in Diepkloof
Eskom on Friday said it was initiating plans to install an additional mini-substation in Diepkloof Zone 1 to in Soweto in a bid to eliminate recurring power outages in the township.
Eskom has been experiencing power supply interruptions of late in Diepkloof Zone 1 due to overloading of mini substations.
The power supplier said this has resulted in customer dissatisfaction.
"Eskom is planning to add an additional substation in the area to support the demand of electricity," Eskom said in a statement.
Several protests erupted last month over electricity outages in Soweto, with protesters vandalising an ATM, a clothing store and a bakery in Dube.
The power utility blamed overloading of the network for the power outages, saying they were caused mostly by illegal connections and in some instances network-related faults were to blame.
In May, Eskom was criticised by the City of Johannesburg and the regional ANC for inefficiency and for failing to deliver on its mandate over the almost week-long spate of power outages in Soweto.
Eskom has been involved in a long-running battle with Soweto consumers over unpaid bills. Residents owe Eskom about R8 billion, of which R4 billion was overdue.
On Thursday Eskom said it had secured R20 billion loan facilities from the African Development Bank to fund the general capital expansion programme which includes new build, maintenance and refurbishment of power stations and skills upgrading.