An inquiry into the problems pertaining to the acquisition of servitudes for transmission powerlines based on a life-cycle approach

Abstract

M.Sc.Electrical energy has evolved to become the main source of energy as it fuels the processes in industry and other sectors. Electricity, generated at a power station, has to be transmitted to the users through transmission powerlines. Strips of land, in the form of servitudes, need to be acquired for the erection of these powerlines. Because this land passes through agricultural areas, residential areas and industrial areas which do not belong to the power utilities, these utilities need to acquire this land. The inability to acquire these strips of land is proving to be a problem for Eskom; in fact, it has been dubbed one of Eskom’s greatest risks (Seabe, 2010, Personal Comment). Hypotheses in respect of the problems pertaining to the acquisition of servitudes for transmission powerlines have been formulated with the supposition being that, by nature, these problems are not only biophysical, but also socio-cultural. Those classified as sociocultural problems are dependent on human behaviour: it is people who grant servitudes, and also people who own the land on which the servitudes are required. These problems, if not identified and addressed, have the potential to manifest at a later stage, causing conflict between the proponent and the landowner and in turn resulting in the electricity supply in South Africa being sporadically curtailed. It is therefore imperative that the problems pertaining to the acquisition of servitudes be investigated and analysed, and that methods be devised from the lessons learnt through investigating these problems. These methods, if implemented correctly, should minimise conflict between the landowners and Eskom and subsequently avert the risk of Eskom being unsuccessful in acquiring servitudes. These methods should also facilitate an improved, effective and successful servitude acquisition process, which will in turn ensure a continuous supply of electricity