Refurbishment project extends life of mini substations in Katlehong

The project included renewing the substations’ outer shells and key components including the RMUs, transformers, and LV panels.

Four mini substations in Katlehong, Gauteng, have been fully refurbished and returned to service. This is expected to extend the lifespan of critical distribution infrastructure and improve reliability for the surrounding municipal network, says Power Process Systems (PPS), which carried out the project.

The refurbishment involved an overhaul of the substations’ outer enclosures and internal components including ring main units, transformers and low-voltage panels. Restoring the equipment to full operational capacity avoided the need for full replacement, significantly reducing upgrade costs for the municipality.

The refurbishment also introduced new vandal-resistant enclosures and public safety features as well as enhanced monitoring and surveillance systems to improve network visibility and maintenance tracking. These measures are intended to support more reliable power delivery and reduce risks of damage or outages, PPS says.