NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY MOVES TO STABILISE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN MOTHERWELL
Published: March 04, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s commitment to restoring stability to the growing Motherwell area electricity distribution network has taken off.
This follows a thorough technical inspection conducted at the Motherwell Main Substation, led by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Electricity and Energy, Councillor Ziyanda Mnqokoyi, on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
Motherwell has in recent years been negatively affected by consistent electricity distribution interruptions caused by several factors, including vandalism, cable theft, overload due to illegal connections, and pressure from the rapidly growing population.
The MMC, accompanied by Ward Councillors from Wards 54 and 55, as well as senior electricity technicians, conducted a detailed inspection of the substation, which services large parts of Motherwell.
Part of the inspection focused on maintenance requirements, refurbishment needs and security improvements that may be required.
The inspection revealed that the substation will need to be strengthened in terms of electricity output, and that additional security measures must be implemented to combat vandalism and the theft of copper cables and steel material. The team, led by the Acting Executive Director for Electricity and Energy, Barnard Lamour, will prepare a costed report to be presented to the Electricity and Energy Standing Committee for possible budget allocation during the remainder of the current financial year and the 2026/2027 financial year.
Communication systems at the substation will also be improved to ensure technicians can accurately detect and respond to faults. In addition, new fuses will be installed. These interventions are expected to resolve the recurring outages experienced over the past three weeks.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said stable electricity and water distribution are central to the City’s economic growth agenda.
"For us to be in a position to attract direct foreign investment, we need stable electricity and water distribution to give confidence to both existing and potential investors. This is critical to our job creation objective as a City. It is for this reason that we see it fit to invest the greater part of our budget in infrastructure,” said Executive Mayor Lobishe.
MMC Mnqokoyi said she would be closely monitoring progress following the site visit.
"Motherwell and the surrounding areas need stable electricity. We are also calling on our communities to assist us in protecting the existing infrastructure,” said MMC Mnqokoyi.
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