In South Africa, a local Pretoria-based transformer manufacturer’s high voltage unit effectively passed all factory acceptance tests at the end of July.
SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA added to its successful track record of manufacturing and testing s with the most recent 500MVA 400/132/22kV unit passing all factory acceptance tests (FAT).
This is the second 500MVA 400kV unit successfully passing FAT in 2020. The Pretoria plant currently has three additional similar units in production, all which are destined for South Africa’s national utility to support and augment the power grid.
This achievement demonstrates the commitment, knowledge and experience within the local South African team, which are bolstered by the group’s technical specialists.
The latest success also demonstrates the South African capability to provide sustainable solutions for the African continent.
Transformer to provide grid reliability amid loadshedding
Last week, Eskom advised that unplanned breakdowns stood at 8,750MW of capacity, adding to the 4,500MW that was out on planned maintenance.
The power utility warned that its ageing infrastructure is unpredictable, unreliable and volatile.
The SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA Pretoria plant is home to a fully equipped laboratory, with the testing and analysis capability for various materials (including transformer oil), which complements the project and service department, in addition to also supporting external companies for lab services.
While the Cape Town distribution manufacturing plant manufactures distribution transformers from 16kVA up to and including 5MVA 36kV, miniature substations, LNER’s, NECRT’s and other related equipment for customers in Africa.
Supporting Africa’s national grids
The Pretoria plant includes a fully accredited testing facility, which is currently the largest facility of its kind in Africa. All transformers manufactured are tested according to international standards (IEC 60076).
The latest success of SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA is the result of great teamwork – both in the Pretoria factory and within the wider SGB-SMIT Group: the international cooperation amongst group members involved in all steps starting from design to production right the way through until the test phase.
