Electrification programme explained

(Image extracted from the Eskom website)

During the SONA, President Zuma announced that the electrification programmes would continue, and mentioned that there were still an additional 3.4 million households awaiting electricity.

The programme is aimed at eradicating apartheid backlogs in the supply of electricity.

He mentioned Amathole district Municipality, Umzinyathi District Municipality, Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Lukhanji Municipality and OR Tambo District Municipality would benefit from the programme during the 2015/16 financial year.

On Sunday, the Presidency announced that the Amathole District Municipality has been allocated R138.4m to electrify 7,936 households.

The Umzinyathi District Municipality has been allocated R118m to electrify 6,930 households.

To date, a total of R118m has been transferred and 2,365 households have been connected.

An additional provision of R209m has been made for the 2015/16 financial year for household electrification and bulk infrastructure.

In the Alfred Nzo District Municipality - R191.3m has been allocated and electrify 4,688 households.

To date, a total of R148m has been transferred and 2,399 households have been connected.

According to the Presidency, a provisional allocation of R30m has been made for the 2015/16 financial year for household electrification and bulk infrastructure.

Lukhanji Municipality received R6.7m for electrification. The infrastructure projects have been completed. An additional allocation of R4.5m has been made for the 2015/16 financial year for the electrification of houses.

OR Tambo District Municipality has been allocated R300m for the electrification of 12,192 households.

"Houses not connected to the grid will be connected using solar home systems. A total of 2,365 household connections have been connected. An additional provision of R357.5m has been made for the 2015/16 financial year," the Presidency said.