NMBM Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, says the Municipality’s continued investment in major electricity infrastructure projects is a clear demonstration of its commitment to building a stronger, more reliable power network capable of supporting economic growth, housing development, and the needs of a rapidly expanding Metro. “Through projects of this scale, the Municipality is building a stronger, more reliable electricity network capable of powering development and supporting the needs of a growing city,” said Executive Mayor Lobishe.
She added that these large-scale infrastructure investments reflect the Municipality’s strategic intent to attract investment, accommodate economic expansion, and ensure sustainable service delivery for residents and businesses. As part of this long-term strategy, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is intensifying its investment in critical electricity infrastructure to stabilise power supply, improve transmission reliability, and meet the growing demands of its expanding population and economy. A key component of this strategy is the establishment of the BooysensPark132/11kV 63MVA Substation, a major bulk electricity infrastructure project that29 April 2026
will significantly enhance power capacity in the developing Joe Slovo and surrounding areas. The Booysens Park Substation is strategically positioned to inject much-needed electricity into high-growth residential and economic development zones located between the existing San Souci and Redhouse substations.
Once operational, the new substation will alleviate pressure on these substations, which are currently carrying electrical loads beyond their original design capacity. This critical infrastructure will directly support large-scale RDP housing developments in and around Booysens Park while also creating opportunities for future economic expansion. Approved in April 2021, the project forms part of the Municipality’s broader commitment to modernising and expanding bulk electricity infrastructure to ensure reliable service delivery for both current and future generations.
The Municipality has committed substantial financial resources to the project over multiple financial years:
- 2021/2022: R3.8 million
- 2022/2023: R21.8 million
- 2023/2024: R37.4 million
- 2024/2025: R11.9 million
- 2025/2026: R55.6 million budget allocation, with R11.7 million already spent to date, including an amended Council budget of R32.2 million specifically for the procurement of power transformers
- 2026/2027: R5.4 million currently allocated, though additional funding will be required to ensure full project completion
To date, the total approved budget for the Booysens Park Substation project stands at over R136.2 million (excluding VAT), with more than R86.8million(excluding VAT) already expended.
The Municipality recognises that sustained investment in electricity transmission infrastructure is essential to:
- Strengthen grid reliability
- Reduce pressure on aging infrastructure
- Support housing delivery programmes
- Unlock economic development opportunities
- Improve service delivery to residents and businesses
While the project is currently estimated for completion by December 2026, this timeline remains dependent on the availability of sufficient budget allocations in the 2026/2027 financial year. Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality remains committed to ensuring that strategic infrastructure investments such as the Booysens Park Substation continue to position the Metro for inclusive growth, improved service delivery, and a resilient energy future.
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