Medium Voltage Infrastructure at Nonesi Mall Strengthened by Locally Manufactured iPOWER Transformers

The recent R76 million expansion of Nonesi Mall in Komani (Queenstown), as reported by Moneyweb, has not only reshaped the retail landscape of the Eastern Cape region but has also reinforced the centre’s electrical backbone through the installation of medium-voltage equipment and transformers manufactured by iPOWER, a South African specialist in power distribution technologies.

 

A Modernised Electrical Backbone for a Growing Mall

With Nonesi Mall’s redevelopment adding more than 3 100 m² of new retail space and increasing overall demand on the centre’s electrical network, upgrading the medium-voltage infrastructure became a critical component of the project. The installation of new transformers and associated MV equipment ensures that the mall’s expanded footprint is supported by reliable, efficient, and future-ready electrical systems.

iPOWER’s transformers—designed and manufactured in South Africa—are engineered to meet the rigorous performance and safety standards required for commercial centres. Their equipment is known for durability, low-loss operation, and compliance with national specifications such as SANS 780 and SANS 10280, making them well-suited for high-demand environments like Nonesi Mall.

 

Supporting Local Manufacturing and Regional Development

The choice of iPOWER equipment aligns with the broader development philosophy behind the mall’s expansion, which emphasised local economic participation and regional procurement. The redevelopment itself generated 356 jobs and retained 98.5% of procurement spend within the Eastern Cape .

Lucas Tseki, iPOWER CEO said “This project reflects the value of local manufacturing, engineering excellence, and South African capability in delivering critical infrastructure. iPOWER is proud to contribute to developments that strengthen regional economies and support sustainable expansion.”

 

Enhancing Reliability for Tenants and Shoppers

The upgraded electrical systems play a crucial role in ensuring uninterrupted operations for the mall’s diverse tenant mix, which now includes new additions such as DisChem, Standard Bank, Absa, and OBC Better Butchery . Reliable power supply is essential for retail, banking, and pharmacy operations, and the new MV installations help safeguard the mall against outages, voltage instability, and loadrelated stress.

 

A Foundation for Future Growth

As Nonesi Mall continues to position itself as one of Vukile Property Fund’s best-performing assets in South Africa , the strengthened electrical infrastructure ensures that the centre is equipped to support future expansions, increased foot traffic, and evolving tenant requirements.

The installation of iPOWER-manufactured medium-voltage equipment and transformers represents a strategic investment in reliability, safety, and longterm operational resilience—supporting both the mall’s commercial ambitions and the community it serves.