The substation was completed on time and within budget. It forms part of the municipality’s ongoing investment in infrastructure to ensure electricity services keep pace with population growth and development.

The construction included key electrical infrastructure designed according to Eskom standards and specifications, including a substation terrace and earthmat, plinths and foundations.

An 88 kV control room was also constructed and equipped with ventilation and warning signage. The facility includes 11 kV switching rooms, a control room and a load control room. An oil holding dam was constructed for the 88/11 kV transformers, while yard stone was spread across the substation yard in line with the required specifications.

“The station will unlock further development in Savanna City,” said Midvaal mayor Peter Teixeira. “It means more housing for our people, more investment and more development.

“And when development comes, it brings job opportunities for our people. The project created at least 25 jobs during construction, and a total of 10 small, medium, and micro enterprises were subcontracted to participate in the project.

“Midvaal continues to make these investments to unlock further developments and to ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace with that growth.”

Mayor Teixeira and the team cutting the ribbon at the substation. Photo supplied

The substation forms part of broader infrastructure investment by Midvaal. During the 2026 state of the municipality address in June, Teixeira said the municipality was undertaking the multi-phased, multi-year construction of the Savanna City Substation at a cost of over R47m to increase electricity capacity.

The municipality’s electricity section had managed an operational budget of more than R1.4bn and a capital budget of R183m between the 2022/2023 and 2025/2026 financial years.

The municipality’s major electricity projects include the R60 million Sicelo 88/11 kV substation, 320 new streetlights in Savanna City and the retrofitting of eight high mast lights in Sicelo at a cost of more than R5m.

“The Savanna City Substation is an important addition to Midvaal’s electricity infrastructure and will increase capacity to meet the growing demand in the area,” said Teixeira.

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