The Chamber is alarmed that yet another protracted power outage has occurred in the metro – this time due to the collapse of the Chelsea / Arlington 132KV lattice tower.
This once again highlights the critical impact of the lack of adequate and routine maintenance of the metro’s electricity infrastructure over many years, and the very serious consequences it has on the lives of communities and the continuity of business operations.
This time around commercial businesses and those serving the hospitality sector are the most impacted, along with institutions serving the vulnerable such as old age homes and other care facilities, as well as the residents living in the affected areas.
Less than two months ago two major electricity transmission towers on the Chatty/Bloemendal 132kV line collapsed leaving large parts of the metro without electricity and water for five days. Prior to this in August 2025, the very same Chelsea/ Arlington 132kV line collapsed causing a power outage for more than a week.
To date little progress has been made on promises and commitments made more than two years ago that the reconstruction of these facilities and that maintenance would be performed on other electricity structures around Nelson Mandela Bay to avoid another prolonged power outage.
The Chamber has repeatedly been urging for the 132kv maintenance contracts, as well as others, to be renewed and alongside this has warned of the high risks associated with not maintaining and securing key and critical municipal infrastructure. We have also repeatedly flagged the need for Eskom technical assistance to be provided through their Active Partnering initiative to be brought on board to assist in addressing critical electricity infrastructure issues.
The costs to businesses come in lost sales, cancelled bookings, delays in meeting orders and reputational damage to the metro as investment destination.
While loadshedding may have eased off over the last year, unplanned power outages have become a major issue. Since January 2023 we have recorded 202 unplanned power outages within the key industrial and commercial areas of the metro.
This is an emergency situation and requires urgent action, among which should include the implementation of a comprehensive maintenance plan; renewal of vital maintenance contracts; effective spending of municipal infrastructure budgets available to conduct regular preventative maintenance; and robust security measures and CCTV monitoring in place, and the enforcement of law to protect our vital infrastructure that serves business and communities. Alongside this, it is essential that the 2026/27 budget has sufficient provision for the upgrading and maintenance of the main 132kv feeders.
Our local economy is under immense pressure, with many small, medium and large businesses across various sectors struggling to remain viable. This is not business as usual and requires speedy action in order to retain and attract much needed investment and employment for our metro.
