Hanover Park and Newfields backyarders gets electricity boxes

Cape Town residents living in backyard homes are receiving their own electricity boxes soon, as the City embarks on its backyarder electricity programme. This aims to supply electricity to backyarder residents living on City-owned rental property.

More recently, 25 backyard homes were connected to the grid in Hanover Park and Newfields as part of the city-wide backyarder service electrification programme.

According to the City, it invested more than R261 000 into the project and is working to connect more backyarder homes in other areas over the coming months. In addition to the electricity connections, beneficiaries will also receive relief with an allocation of up to 60 units of free basic electricity.

“In the 2024/2025 financial year, the City connected backyarder homes across the city. The areas include Lavender Hill, Factreton, Hanover Park and Newfields.”

Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg says the programme is one of the Energy Directorate’s focus areas to improve the lives of the residents and their families. Limberg says they also aim to prioritise electrification projects in informal settlements and backyarders living on City-owned land.

hanover park resident in kitchen — Image: Beneficiary Henzertino Titus

The project involves installing electricity poles where required in the area, additional infrastructure as well as connecting electricity meters in the households. The Hanover Park and Newfields project in particular started in November 2024 and was completed on schedule.

“The added benefit of projects of this nature is the upgrade of the local electricity grid network, not only making room for future household connections, but the investment also ensures reliable electricity supply for the broader community for many years to come.” added Limberg

Limberg says it is important to note that the service electricity programme is being rolled out in phases and prioritises areas based on need and technical feasibility.

“We thank the Hanover Park and Newfields communities for working with us and we look forward to assisting many more backyarders across the city,”