Features | Electrical Power Generation & Transmission

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Electrical Power Generation and Transmission

3 500 North West households to be electrified

29th July 2016 State-owned power utility Eskom GM Phil Khumalo says that the utility is committed to electrifying more than 3 500 households in the Madibeng local municipality in North West by the end of this financial year. →

Power builds to continue despite decreased demand across industries

By: Robyn Wilkinson 29th July 2016 Despite a decrease in demand for energy from the mining and related industries, construction, engineering and mining contractor Murray & Roberts Power & Water platform CEO Steve Harrison believes that the power station builds at Medupi, in Limpopo, and Kusile, in Mpumalanga, will continue to... →

MEDUPI POWER STATION Unit 5 at Medupi first fired on oil in June

Agency supports waste-to-energy project in SA

29th July 2016 The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a grant to South African renewable energy project developer MBHE African Power to support a waste-to-energy project in the Drakenstein municipality, in the Western Cape. →

S Africa renewables sector growing well

By: Robyn Wilkinson 29th July 2016 Engineering firm Arup associate director Mariaan Woest believes that the renewables sector is growing well in South Africa, with Arup selected as a consultant on many of the projects approved in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). →

MARIAAN WOEST Micro hydros are the way forward in terms of electricity on a more localised scale

Solar gaining traction in South Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 29th July 2016 Adequate, reliable and affordable electricity supply remains a challenge in South Africa for businesses and homeowners, and solar energy is gaining momentum as a key area of focus to provide solutions for these challenges. →

KARAGLEN SHOPPING CENTRE The installation of 1 250 units of solar modules at the centre in Edenvale is one of the biggest solar projects of its kind completed in Gauteng to date

Construction on the largest solar field in S Africa to start in 2017

29th July 2016 Norwegian power producer Scatec Solar plans to start construction by mid-2017 on three new adjacent solar projects in Upington, in the Northern Cape, which will form the largest solar field in South Africa and one of the biggest in the world with a combined peak capacity of 258 MW. →

Clearing environmental hurdles to power supply growth

29th July 2016 Environmental consultant SRK Consulting is developing an enabling framework that will help power projects in South Africa to streamline the process of acquiring environmental approvals, in order to avoid unnecessary delays in implementation. →

Concentrated solar plants valuable for South Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 29th July 2016 As baseload plants, concentrated solar plants (CSPs) are highly sought after in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), says infrastructure operations and maintenance (O&M) company Invest in Africa Holdings (IIAH) director Gabriel Reeder. →

MULTIPLE BENEFITS
The Bokpoort concentrated solar plant is providing significant economic and social development for the iKheis municipal community

Investing in Africa Holdings directors Gabriel Reeder and Mandla Sibanda discuss the value of concentrated solar plants in South Africa

Power factor correction to help lessen load

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th April 2016 The rise in electricity costs and the drop in commodity prices have led businesses across the industrial and commercial spectrum to look at how their electrical equipment converts electric current into useful power output in order to save on power by making use of power factor correction (PFC),... →

Current trends shift company’s focus to IPPs

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th April 2016 Current market conditions and trends within the power sector have enabled heat exchanger supplier Kelvion to focus on supplying replacement heat exchange equipment and maintenance products within the existing power plant installed base as well as focusing on independent power producers (IPPs),... →

Innovative power generation projects share award

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th April 2016 To encourage the innovation of a system that generates and transmits power independently, this year’s African Energy Awards, held in Sandton, Gauteng, last month, awarded the innovation prize to a urine-powered battery system and an Eternity power thermal harvesting project. Menlopark high... →

AFRICAN ENERGY AWARDS Both Nicole Barwise and Vuselela Energy were awarded the R300 000 innovation prize

Redistribution key for Africa’s power future

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th April 2016 The codevelopment and equal distribution of power between countries in Africa, along with focused research and development strategies around redistribution will provide more Africans with electricity in the future, says State-owned power utility Eskom MD for corporate affairs Chose Choeu.... →

CHOSE CHOEU
Eskom and other power providers across the continent should also increase efforts to decentralise electrification solutions

Photo by Duane Daws
CHOSE CHOEU Eskom and other power providers across the continent should also increase efforts to decentralise electrification solutions

Quality expansion joints essential for efficiency

By: Donna Slater 31st July 2015 The quality of materials used in fabric expansion joints cannot be compromised as they perform a critical role in the combustion process, says expansion joints manufacturer Flextra Engineered Products. →

DUVHA RETROFIT Flextra is retrofitting fabric expansion joints at Eskom’s Duvha power station on all its vertical-duct expansion joints

South African locomotives specialist ventures further into Africa

By: Creamer Media Reporter 31st July 2015 Locomotive design and engineering company Grindrod Locomotives recently signed a contract worth more than $30-million with Bolloré Group, the first logistics and port operator in Africa with a presence in 46 countries, 250 subsidiaries and 25 000 employees. The project will see a number of... →

Successful independent renewable-energy projects boosting industry regionally

By: Donna Slater 31st July 2015 The South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has proven to be so successful in South Africa that the same model could be replicated across Africa, especially amid the current drive towards using cleaner sources of energy, says Sandton-based law... →

KIERAN WHYTE The renewable energy independent power producer procurement programme has proven to be a “hugely successful” South African business model

Fast-track power contracts expanded in Africa

31st July 2015 Global electricity supplier APR Energy announced earlier this month that it has extended and expanded several power generation contracts in Africa, amounting to a combined total of 108 MW. →

GAS POWER APR Energy has invested significantly in gas-fired power projects in Africa

Africa shows interest in hydroelectric scheme

31st July 2015 The forecast increase in demand for electrical energy in the sub-Sahara Africa region has prompted heads of States to endorse an investigation of the 15 most promising hydropower projects, worth an estimated $50-billion, says black-owned engineering consulting firm Gibb. →

Photo by Duane Daws
POWER POTENTIAL Central Africa has significant hydropower potential to meet both its local and export requirements

First-of-its-kind cogen plant fully commissioned

By: Donna Slater 31st July 2015 The R175-million Eternity Project, an initiative that uses waste heat from mining processes, has reached full commissioning at platinum group metals miner Anglo American Platinum’s (Amplats’) Rustenburg-based Waterval smelter. →

ETERNITY PROJECT The Eternity Project is the world’s first cogeneration power plant that uses an organic rankine cycle

Rooftop solar is the way forward – power management company

By: Donna Slater 17th April 2015 The large-scale exploitation and rapid implementation of rooftop solar power for commercial buildings and households would bring drastic relief from South Africa’s current electricity woes, says power management solutions company Eaton. →

LOUIS SHAFFER It would be in South Africa’s best interest to pursue rooftop solar to add a few gigawatts in the near future

Country-specific planning key to obtaining IPP licences

By: Donna Slater 17th April 2015 Applying for an independent power producer (IPP) licence required extensive planning, with help from various industry-specific companies, said Nigeria-based energy advisory firm Lavayo Energy CEO Lolu Adubifa, who addressed delegates at the ‘How to Get an IPP Licence’ workshop at this year’s... →

Photo by Bloomberg
STRANDED POWER It would not be feasible to propose building a thermal plant in a location far from the nearest gas pipeline

‘All hands on deck’ needed for energy efficiency

By: Donna Slater 17th April 2015 Energy efficiency requires a complex approach that should be initiated and implemented across the supply chain, from production to the consumer, said State-owned entity the South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) senior manager for energy efficiency Barry Bredenkamp during... →

BARRY BREDENKAMP
The number one priority of enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the emissions of large-scale electricity generation is gathering data

Photo by Duane Daws
BARRY BREDENKAMP The number one priority of enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the emissions of large-scale electricity generation is gathering data

Mobile substations assist Eskom

By: Donna Slater 17th April 2015 State-owned power utility Eskom has ordered a set of five trailer-mounted substations from electrical solutions company Zest WEG Group to assist with substation up-time. →

BURNING METHANE Zest WEG Group is focusing on gas-powered electricity generation in industries where methane is prevalent

Medupi generates first power

17th April 2015 Unit 6 of State-owned power utility Eskom’s Medupi power station, in Lephalale, Limpopo, reached a critical milestone last month when it produced and delivered power for the first time. →

Solar panel coating extends performance

17th April 2015 China-based solar panel manufacturer Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (Yingli Solar) announced in January that CleanARC anti-reflective (AR) glass coating is now available on all Yingli product lines. →

Photo by Duane Daws
HARSH ENVIRONMENTS CleanARC coatings serve to extend the performance of photovoltaic products in harsh conditions

Shunt reactors designed for domestic market

17th April 2015 JSE-listed power industries company Altron Group subsidiary Powertech Transformers broke new ground in August last year by successfully designing, building and testing new shunt reactors exclusively specified for the South African market. →

SHUNT REACTORS Powertech Transformers has designed and built specialty transformers for use in the South African industry

Egypt diversifies energy mix

17th April 2015 Electrical engineering company Siemens and the Egyptian government reached two firm agreements on March 14, firstly to build a 4.4 GW combined-cycle power plant and, secondly, to install wind power capacity of 2 GW – both in Egypt. →

HARNESSING WIND POWER Siemens will manufacture rotor blade for wind turbines to contribute to the 2 GW of wind power capacity that will be generated in Egypt

Dubai diversifies energy mix with solar farm expansion

17th April 2015 The regulations to govern solar power connection in Dubai homes and businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are in the final stages of development. →

EXPANDING USE OF SOLAR Regulations in Dubai are aimed at encouraging people to install solar energy

GE supplies gas engines to heat Romanian city

17th April 2015 With the Energy Efficiency Law of Romania and financial incentives for cogeneration driving the country to implement more energy efficiency initiatives, energy services company Bepco showcased the success of four high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) plants at the heart of a district... →

HEATING A CITY One advantage of a multiple gas engine power plant is the high plant part-load efficiency and availability

Genset supplier expands product offering

17th April 2015 Green electric power generation equipment supplier Vert Energy announced in March that it has extended its range of electric power generation (EPG) components to meet growing demand from generator set (genset) builders and electromechanical power transmission industries. →

Medupi fires first coal in conveyors

By: Pimani Baloyi 12th December 2014 Engineering solutions provider ELB Engineering Services says that its conveyors moved the first coal to the mill bunkers of boiler 6 at Medupi power station in Lephalale, Limpopo last month. ELB Medupi project manager Hertzog Verhoef says the coal to bunker process started on October 15, when... →

HERTZOG VERHOEF The Medupi power plant project provided us with an opportunity to establish ELB Construction

Power utility prepares for Medupi integration

By: Pimani Baloyi 12th December 2014 State-owned power utility Eskom says it is in the process of building two 400 kV transmission lines between the Spitskop substation and the Dinaledi substation, both in the greater Brits area, in the North West, to enable the integration of the first unit of the Medupi power station in... →

Photo by Pimani Baloyi
MEDUPI POWER STATION At full capacity the station will add 4 800 MW to the national grid

Local-content stipulation will thwart import industry

By: Pimani Baloyi 12th December 2014 Local valve importer CMO Africa says the government regulation, which stipulates that 70% of valves used in State projects be manufactured in-country, will lead to the demise of the valves import industry. CMO Africa MD Mark Bowden told Engineering News at the Mining and Technical Exhibitions’... →

Photo by Bloomberg
VALVES Importing companies account for about 80% of the jobs in the valves industry

Government gears for nuclear energy

By: Pimani Baloyi 12th December 2014 Government last month announced that it had successfully concluded the second nuclear vendor parade workshop with delegations from China, France, South Korea and the US, in its bid to source experienced nuclear energy partners to help with South Africa’s nuclear power generation programme. The... →

Photo by Duane Daws
TINA JOEMAT PETTERSSON Government has held two nuclear vendor parade workshops

Medupi Unit 6 will contribute power by mid-2015

By: Pimani Baloyi 12th December 2014 Johannesburg-based chemical manufacturer Reba Chemicals attended this year’s Lephalale Mining Expo, hosted by Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE), to establish partnerships that can expand the company’s reach in the area. Reba Chemicals MD Freddy Motau told Engineering News at the expo, which... →

Photo by Duane Daws
LYNNE BROWN The next few years are going to be tough

Boilermaker affects management changes

12th December 2014 Johannesburg-based company Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa, which is constructing boilers for State-owned power utility Eskom’s new Medupi and Kusile power stations, announced a revised top structure, including a new executive chairperson and a new chief executive. The changes, which were... →

Photo by Duane Daws
MEDUPI BOILERS Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa took over the boiler contacts that were awarded to Hitach

Alloys supplier completes project

By: Mia Breytenbach 27th June 2014 Specialist alloys and valve supplier Energy Engineered Products reports it has completed its latest contract for State-owned power utility Eskom’s Kusile power station project, in Mpumalanga. The company completed the supply of products, valued at about R2-million, which included a range of... →

NEW BUILD SUPPORT
Energy Engineered Products has supplied valve products to Eskom’s Medupi, Kusile and Ingula power generation projects

Photo by Energy Engineered Products
NEW BUILD SUPPORT Energy Engineered Products has supplied valve products to Eskom’s Medupi, Kusile and Ingula power generation projects

Factors contributing to power project’s delay resolved

By: Mia Breytenbach 27th June 2014 With State-owned power utility Eskom having reached key milestones in resolving issues that have caused delays in synchronising its new-build Mepudi power station project Unit 6 onto the national electricity grid, Eskom is confident that the unit will be synchronised to the grid by the end of the... →

TEETHING PROBLEMS
Eskom emphasises the importance of embedding lessons learned from Medupi’s Unit 6 to drive efficiencies in the rest of the utility’s fleet

Photo by Eskom
TEETHING PROBLEMS Eskom emphasises the importance of embedding lessons learned from Medupi’s Unit 6 to drive efficiencies in the rest of the utility’s fleet

Preliminary work for new builds conducted

By: Mia Breytenbach 27th June 2014 While work is progressing at State-owned power utility Eskom’s new build projects, Eskom group capital acting group executive Dan Marokane says the utility has conducted preliminary work for potential additional new build projects. These projects include a third coal-fired power station,... →

NEW BUILD PREPARATION
Eskom is awaiting government direction regarding the proposed new nuclear and coal–fired power station builds

Photo by Duane Daws
NEW BUILD PREPARATION Eskom is awaiting government direction regarding the proposed new nuclear and coal–fired power station builds

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