Solar projects receive high-voltage transformers

2nd August 2013

  

Font size: - +

The Droogfontein and De Aar solar power projects received two high-voltage (HV) transformers, which will enable them to connect to State-owned power utility Eskom’s network in April 2014.

The HV transformers are not only the largest single components at the sites but are also critical components for these 50 MW photovoltaic independent power projects, says De Aar Solar Power project manager Savva Antoniadis.

The transformers will increase the voltage supplied from the inverter transformers of the plants from 33 kV to 132 kV to connect to the Eskom line, says Droogfontein Solar Power project manager Kevin Foster.

The transformers were manufactured by electrical equipment company Siemens, in Portugal, and took almost a year to manufacture.

“Each transformer weighs about 80 t and took one month to ship from Portugal to South Africa. Special precautions were taken during the transportation to ensure the transformers were not damaged en route, with sensors being used to measure the movement of the cargo.”

Both projects are on schedule and within budget and are expected to start commercial operation in April 2014, says Foster.

The two solar power projects are owned by power company Globeleq and its consortium partners and community partners.
Siemens is the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the projects and will provide maintenance services for the first five years of operation.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Comments

The content you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION