Williams vows to ramp up electricity and water provision in Tshwane
Tshwane Mayor Randall Wiliams says the city will pump millions of rands into maintaining and refurbishing critical water and electricity infrastructure.
This is part of a bid to secure efficient service delivery, as well as to enable economic growth in the capital.
Williams delivered the State of the Capital Address on Thursday in front of packed council chamber where he vowed to make residents top priority.
Williams added his administration will focus ten strategic areas to develop Tshwane and fast-track service delivery, including prioritising the electrical grid and water infrastructure, providing stringent financial management and oversight, as well as attracting business and investment.
"Honourable Speaker, to deliver on these priorities means that we must consider moving with the times and embracing the full potential and opportunities provided by new technology and data solutions. This is why I have chosen the theme for this year’s State of the Capital Address as ‘building a data-driven city to fast-track service delivery’.
"This theme demonstrates our intention as the city to effectively use data, research and analytics to better understand complex issues, engage residents, choose correct policy interventions to transform the quality of life of our residents, and improve operating conditions in the city for businesses to attract more investment," Williams added.
The city has invested over R134 million into the Wapadrand Substation refurbishment project.
"This is a much-needed intervention, as we have regularly had our hands full working around the clock when operational issues arose at the substation and plunged the surrounding areas into darkness for days on end. This was a difficult time for all, and through this refurbishment we intend to ensure that we prevent future service interruptions.
"The city plans to commission a new 40 MVA substation later this year. The proposed Kosmosdal A Substation will supplement the existing 120 MVA Kosmosdal B Substation to support the data centres in the Kosmosdal area. Furthermore, the City has also lodged an application for a 300 MVA new infeed substation in the Kosmosdal area to support the data centre load requirements in the area," Williams vowed.
The city also plans to upgrade its wastewater treatment plants, including the Rooiwal plant.
"So far, the city is making progress with Phase 1 of the project, which is valued at R325 million. The project commenced in February 2020 and construction is currently underway. Phase 1 will create an additional 10 megalitres per day treatment capacity, which will improve operations at the plant and the treated effluent that is discharged into the Apies River.
"Phase 2 has been accelerated and during the recently approved budget adjustment, the city allocated the budget to appoint a consultant to begin the design specification for Phase 2 during this financial year."
Phase 2 is estimated at R2,6 billion.
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