Backyarder services: City installs electricity in Hanover Park and Newfields backyard homes
26 March 2025
The City’s Energy Directorate connected 25 more backyard homes to the electricity grid in Hanover Park and Newfields as part of its city-wide backyarder service electrification programme.
The backyarder service electricity programme is a city-wide programme, which aims to provide electricity supply to backyarder residents living on City-owned rental property.
‘We were excited to join the families of Hanover Park and Newfields as we switched on the electricity to their homes for the first time. The City 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 enjoy relief with an allocation of up to 60 units of free basic electricity (FBE) on the City’s subsidised Lifeline Tariff.
‘In the 2024/2025 financial year, the City connected backyarder homes across the city. The areas include Lavender Hill, Factreton, Hanover Park and Newfields.
‘The City’s backyarder service electricity programme is one of our Energy Directorate’s focus areas and we are pleased that this project in Hanover Park and Newfields will immediately improve the lives of the residents and their families. The City continues to prioritise electrification projects in informal settlements and to backyarders living on City-owned land, and these initiatives underscore the City’s commitment to service delivery in all communities.
‘The project involved installing electricity poles where required in the area, additional infrastructure as well as connecting electricity meters in the households. 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. This particular backyarder electricity project started in November 2024 and was completed on schedule.
‘It is important to note that the City’s backyarder 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,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
The Municipal Finance Management Act determines that public money cannot be used for the enhancing of private property and the City can therefore only assist backyarders residing on City-owned property. The City continues to seek ways to invest greater resources in driving electrification projects for backyarders and residents in informal settlements, where feasible.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
