Over 100,000 homes in KwaZulu-Natal lack electricity access
Image: Supplied by KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
MORE than 100,000 homes across KwaZulu-Natal still do not have access to electricity.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thulasizwe Buthelezi revealed that in some parts of the province, there is still very low penetration when it comes to the provision of electricity.
The MEC was speaking at an event for Eskom's National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) Indaba this week.
'According to the Department of Mineral Resources' Electrification Master Plan, which provides a detailed breakdown of electrification backlogs per local municipality at ward level, there were 112,704 households without access to electricity as of the end of March 2023. An estimated R2.25 billion is required to address this backlog,' he said in a statement.
The department confirmed on Thursday that these figures were referring to KwaZulu-Natal.
The MEC stated, 'UMkhanyakude District Municipality in the far north of the province has the lowest electricity access ratio at 84.37%, followed by uGu District Municipality on the south coast at 89.02%, while all other district municipalities are above 90%.'
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'To reduce the electrification backlog, municipalities were allocated a total of R359.7 million under Schedule 5B for infrastructure and electrification of 7,421 households in the 2024/25 financial year. Eskom's allocation for household electrification in the same period is R209.1 million, targeting 10,002 new connections. Given uMkhanyakude's high backlog, significant funding was allocated to the district, aiming to connect 4,462 households.
'While these are positive improvements in the mission to increase the number of households with access to electricity, we are aware of challenges that often delay electrification projects. Common issues include the demands for 30% subcontracting to local SMMEs, which sometimes lead to disputes if they are not properly managed. At times, there are also upfront payment demands from contractors; we have also been made aware of these issues.
'Community unrest, due to the limited scope of work, is also contributing to the delays. Last month, in Vryheid, under Abaqulusi Local Municipality, a community protested and threatened to stop the project in the nearby ward because they felt like they were left out. However, we understand that electrification projects are implemented in phases. There is also poor terrain and inadequate access in some rural areas, causing cost overruns. Additionally, there is resistance to removing illegal infrastructure even when permanent connections are ready.
'Our province's population is expected to grow in the coming years due to urbanisation and new developments that are emerging in different parts. To meet future energy demands, transmission projects have been planned and are being implemented by Eskom in phases to ensure a sustainable supply and support economic growth,' said the MEC.
Buthelezi added that the transmission load forecast indicates that KZN's consumption will increase from just below 6 gigawatts (GW) in 2023 to 7 GW in 2032, an average annual growth rate of 1.58%. He said some bulk projects have been delayed by labour unrest, but through Cogta's intervention, including war room meetings with stakeholders, significant progress has been made in this regard.
The MEC said currently, there are major schemes that have been commissioned in the province as a precautionary measure to ensure a sustainable energy supply in KwaZulu-Natal.
Eskom Middle Manager: Project Portfolio, Krish Govender, speaking of the importance of the gathering, said it was aimed at fostering more effective collaboration between the NTCSA, Eskom Holdings, government and entities. 'Reinforce our collective resolve to execute projects safely, efficiently, and with the highest standards of compliance - always in the best interest of the communities we serve.'
THE MERCURY
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Over 100,000 homes in KwaZulu-Natal lack electricity access
KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi Image: Supplied by KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MORE than 100,000 homes across KwaZulu-Natal still do not have access to electricity. KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thulasizwe Buthelezi revealed that in some parts of the province, there is still very low penetration when it comes to the provision of electricity. The MEC was speaking at an event for Eskom's National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) Indaba this week. 'According to the Department of Mineral Resources' Electrification Master Plan, which provides a detailed breakdown of electrification backlogs per local municipality at ward level, there were 112,704 households without access to electricity as of the end of March 2023. An estimated R2.25 billion is required to address this backlog,' he said in a statement. The department confirmed on Thursday that these figures were referring to KwaZulu-Natal. The MEC stated, 'UMkhanyakude District Municipality in the far north of the province has the lowest electricity access ratio at 84.37%, followed by uGu District Municipality on the south coast at 89.02%, while all other district municipalities are above 90%.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'To reduce the electrification backlog, municipalities were allocated a total of R359.7 million under Schedule 5B for infrastructure and electrification of 7,421 households in the 2024/25 financial year. Eskom's allocation for household electrification in the same period is R209.1 million, targeting 10,002 new connections. Given uMkhanyakude's high backlog, significant funding was allocated to the district, aiming to connect 4,462 households. 'While these are positive improvements in the mission to increase the number of households with access to electricity, we are aware of challenges that often delay electrification projects. Common issues include the demands for 30% subcontracting to local SMMEs, which sometimes lead to disputes if they are not properly managed. At times, there are also upfront payment demands from contractors; we have also been made aware of these issues. 'Community unrest, due to the limited scope of work, is also contributing to the delays. Last month, in Vryheid, under Abaqulusi Local Municipality, a community protested and threatened to stop the project in the nearby ward because they felt like they were left out. However, we understand that electrification projects are implemented in phases. There is also poor terrain and inadequate access in some rural areas, causing cost overruns. Additionally, there is resistance to removing illegal infrastructure even when permanent connections are ready. 'Our province's population is expected to grow in the coming years due to urbanisation and new developments that are emerging in different parts. To meet future energy demands, transmission projects have been planned and are being implemented by Eskom in phases to ensure a sustainable supply and support economic growth,' said the MEC. Buthelezi added that the transmission load forecast indicates that KZN's consumption will increase from just below 6 gigawatts (GW) in 2023 to 7 GW in 2032, an average annual growth rate of 1.58%. He said some bulk projects have been delayed by labour unrest, but through Cogta's intervention, including war room meetings with stakeholders, significant progress has been made in this regard. The MEC said currently, there are major schemes that have been commissioned in the province as a precautionary measure to ensure a sustainable energy supply in KwaZulu-Natal. Eskom Middle Manager: Project Portfolio, Krish Govender, speaking of the importance of the gathering, said it was aimed at fostering more effective collaboration between the NTCSA, Eskom Holdings, government and entities. 'Reinforce our collective resolve to execute projects safely, efficiently, and with the highest standards of compliance - always in the best interest of the communities we serve.' THE MERCURY
