Cape Town - Treasury allocations to boost the number of electrified households will increase from R3.5bn to R5.7bn over the next three years, according to the 2013 Budget tabled on Wednesday..
The money will be used on infrastructure to ensure 645 000 households are connected to the electricity grid over this period.
Since President Jacob Zuma's new administration took office in 2009, 475 157 homes had been connected to the grid.
Treasury allocates funds to the energy department, which in turn transfers the money to Eskom and municipalities to fund infrastructure for household electrification programmes.
From April 1 this year, a total of 200 000 households will be targeted for electrification each year for the next three years.
"Eighteen new bulk substations will also be built and 30 substations will be upgraded," according to a budget document.
Eskom will be given R3.5bn to install solar water geysers, while municipalities will receive R538m to install energy efficient lighting and technologies.
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