The DA in Steve Tshwete is pleased to note that the municipality is making progress with the implementation of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition electricity (SCADA) system.
Implementing this system will enable the municipality to handle its own load shedding as per Eskom’s schedule.
Notably, the implementation of this system was approved in council a year ago. The ANC administration took their time with implementing this system, however, the DA’s continuous persistence will finally pay off.
The service provider was tasked with building and installing SCADA equipment in the municipality’s control room for monitoring and operation. At this stage, it is understood that the physical work is completed pending the commission of the system.
The second part of this system entails building and installing infrastructure at the Gholfsig sub station. The municipality is expected to complete the modernization work of the substation before the end of the 2024/25 financial year.
The SCADA system will allow the municipality to monitor and operate seven of the high voltage 88 kv substations.
Furthermore, the system will also be implemented in the water division. The upgrade of the telemetry system to monitor reservoir levels for Middelburg Water supply has already started, this process will cover 16 water reservoirs. The intended project completion date is 30 March 2024.
Carrying out the implementation of these projects with succession is of importance. Steve Tshwete ratepayers have been subject to prolonged load shedding. This was revealed at a workshop last year, where it came to light that the municipality is load shedding way more electricity than it should per stage.
The contract value of these projects amounts to over R9 million. Therefore, the municipality needs to put strict security measures in place to safeguard its infrastructure. The DA will monitor these projects and make sure that everything is done according to the book.