Nelson Mandela Bay has unveiled an R60 million electricity infrastructure programme to strengthen two of its most strategic economic zones. From the Coega SEZ to Summerstrand, the projects seek to improve power reliability, modernise ageing infrastructure and reinforce the city’s ambitions for sustained economic expansion.
By Staff Reporter
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has committed R60 million to upgrading key electricity infrastructure to improve power reliability and support future economic growth.
The investment will fund two strategic projects: the R35 million replacement of the Chelsea–Summerstrand 132kV powerline and a R25 million upgrade of the electricity network serving the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Municipal officials say the projects form part of a broader programme to modernise ageing infrastructure and strengthen the city’s electricity supply network.
The Coega project is intended to increase the network’s capacity to accommodate future industrial expansion within the country’s largest special economic zone, while the new Chelsea–Summerstrand powerline is expected to improve supply stability in an area that supports a significant share of Nelson Mandela Bay’s tourism and hospitality economy.
The municipality said the projects would also reinforce critical electricity supply corridors serving residential, commercial and industrial consumers, complementing ongoing maintenance programmes, substation refurbishments and network upgrades across the metro.
Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said dependable electricity infrastructure remained essential to the city’s economic ambitions.
“A reliable electricity network is the foundation of a competitive and growing city. These investments are not only about constructing new infrastructure—they are about modernising our electricity network, maintaining critical assets and creating the conditions for investment, business expansion and sustainable economic growth,” she said.
Alongside the two flagship projects, the municipality has allocated a further R13 million for smaller electrical infrastructure works, including local grid extensions, emergency maintenance and the replacement of ageing electrical equipment.
The additional funding is intended to improve the overall resilience and performance of the city’s electricity network.
The municipality also renewed its appeal for residents and businesses to help protect public infrastructure by reporting vandalism and cable theft, which it identified as major contributors to electricity outages.
It said it would continue working with law enforcement agencies to combat crimes targeting electricity infrastructure.
The latest investment forms part of the municipality’s wider infrastructure renewal programme, which seeks to improve service reliability while creating conditions for greater investment, business activity and long-term economic development.