- Local manufacturers warn of safety risks and system failures linked to non-compliant cable imports.
- Industry calls for stronger focus on quality and certified products to support grid optimisation.
- Advanced reconductoring technologies seen as key to unlocking capacity without new infrastructure.
South Africa cable manufacturing industry has the technical capability and production capacity to support grid optimisation and the country’s energy transition, but growing volumes of substandard imports are undermining progress and posing significant safety risks.
Andre Smith, CEO of South Ocean Electric Wire and a subsidiary of JSE listed South Ocean Holdings, says the national grid is under increasing pressure as renewable energy integration, industrial recovery and electrification targets drive higher demand.
He explains that utilities such as Eskom and municipalities are turning to innovative reconductoring and uprating solutions to increase capacity along existing transmission corridors. These approaches avoid lengthy environmental approvals and eliminate the need for new transmission towers.
However, Smith warns that the influx of low priced, inferior and non compliant imported cables is creating serious challenges across multiple sectors. These products are associated with overheating, insulation failure, fire incidents and costly operational downtime.
He notes that these risks are already evident in residential, renewable energy, industrial, mining and construction applications. Without intervention, similar failures could affect the transmission sector, leading to long term reliability issues and financial losses.
Smith stresses that investment in compliant and proven cable technologies is critical to building a resilient transmission network. He adds that prioritising quality from the outset will reduce lifecycle costs and accelerate the deployment of clean energy infrastructure.
Constraints on new transmission routes further increase the importance of maximising existing infrastructure. According to Smith, advanced engineering solutions combined with high performance materials are essential to achieving this goal.
While much attention is focused on high temperature low sag conductors and reconductoring for overhead lines, he emphasises that quality must be maintained across the entire network. This includes distribution systems and low voltage connections that support renewable energy integration and substations.
Smith highlights the role of advanced conductor technologies, including composite core and high ampacity solutions such as ACCC and similar high temperature low sag options. These technologies, already deployed in projects such as City Power Johannesburg reconductoring initiatives, can significantly increase power transfer capacity, in some cases by up to 100%, while maintaining existing transmission corridors.
He says these developments align with global trends toward more resilient and sustainable energy networks, while also supporting local job creation and industry partnerships, including collaboration between South Ocean Electric Wire and Mwanga Afrika Cables.
Smith adds that there is an urgent need for stricter adherence to certification standards, including SABS approved wiring and compliance with both local and international specifications for specialised and armoured cables.
He raises concern that compliant local manufacturers, which contribute to employment and economic development, are losing market share to imported products that lack quality assurance and after sales support.
According to Smith, testing consistently shows that the majority of these imports fail to match the performance of locally manufactured cables. South Ocean Electric Wire products are supported by in house and SANAS accredited testing facilities, ensuring compliance and reliability.
He concludes that safeguarding the integrity of South Africa cable supply chain is essential to delivering a safer, more efficient and sustainable electrical ecosystem capable of supporting long term energy security.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
