No more power outages for Joburg? City signs new deal

City of Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Moerane is confident that they will be able to stave off load-shedding with the signing of a milestone power purchase agreement with the privately-owned Kelvin Power Station.

The move is undoubtedly a welcomed one given the city’s power supply issues which have been ongoing for quite some time. It is expected to be a feat for both the city and Moerane, who has only been in office just last week.

Guaranteed reliable power for Joburg

City of Joburg Mayor Mpho Moerane says the deal is expected to add an extra 100MW (megawatts) from 80MW to households and businesses, bringing the total to 180MW.

“The agreement we are signing answers the questions that have been in the minds of many since we started speaking about plans to take over the supply of electricity by Eskom in Johannesburg communities. The partnership will guarantee a reliable power supply in the City,” said Moerane.

This was after the commitment Mayor Moerane made on his election day that the City of Joburg will take over the supply of electricity from Eskom to supply Soweto, Diepsloot, Ivory Park, Orange Farm, Finetown and Sandton, the mayor’s office has said.

“This event is affirmation of the City of Joburg’s promise in ensuring improved service delivery to the residents. The City’s residents have been experiencing challenges in terms of the provision of reliable electricity supply.”

City of Joburg Mayor Mpho Moerane

Gauteng Premier David Makhura says the move  paves the way to securing a reliable power supply for the country’s economic hub.

“I am very happy that Johannesburg has taken a concrete step to ensure that it enhances its own capacity to guarantee the supply of energy to the residents of the city. I think this is a tremendous achievement. What Johannesburg is doing is something we want to do in the whole province. Reliable power supply and reliable supply of clean water. Those two are fundamental basics without which you can’t do anything. What distinguishes us from significant progress is access to those two clean basic services, power and water,” Makhura said.

The premier stressed that Joburg has huge economic potential which can only be fulfilled if there is reliable electricity supply. He added that other municipalities needed to do the same and consider taking over electricity from Eskom.