ABB South Africa has delivered its largest 132kV high voltage gas insulated switchgear board as part of a multi-million rand order to City Power's new Sebenza intake substation.

The new 1000MVA 400 kV/275 kV/132 kV Sebenza intake substation near Kempton Park will strengthen City Power’s distribution network growth.

ABB was awarded the high voltage switchgear order by Consolidated Power Projects (CONCO), an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractor appointed by City Power to provide the turnkey substation. PSW Consulting Engineers provided consulting engineering services for the project to ensure compliance to specifications.

The ABB scope of supply includes the design, manufacture, testing, supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of 132 kV GIS (gas-insulated switchgear); 400kV circuit breakers; 275kV circuit breakers and surge arresters; 132kV circuit breakers; 88kV surge arresters and point of wave relays (switch sync).

The 132kV GIS board comprising 38 bays is the largest such high voltage board ABB has supplied in Africa. Gas-insulated high-voltage switchgear (GIS) is a compact metal encapsulated switchgear consisting of high-voltage components such as circuit-breakers and disconnectors, which can be safely operated in confined spaces. GIS is used where space is limited, for example, extensions, in city buildings, on roofs, on offshore platforms, industrial plants and hydro power plants.
 

“ABB is a leading innovator in GIS technology especially in the areas of ratings, operations, switching technology, smart control and supervision, and compactness,” says Confidence Mabulwana, Product Group Manager High Voltage Products, ABB South Africa. “As a result, ABB’s GIS offers outstanding reliability, operational safety and environmental compatibility”.

The order for the ABB HV switchgear was placed at the end of 2014 and the products were all delivered in November 2015. The installation and commissioning is scheduled for the beginning of March 2016 and commissioning is planned for completion at the end of September 2016.

The 132 kV GIS equipment was manufactured in Germany while the 132 kV to 400 kV AIS circuit breakers and surge arresters were manufactured in Sweden. ABB is responsible for supervision of all installation and commissioning. South African based company SWITEC is responsible for all installation of 132kV GIS under supervision of ABB as a part of contract.

"The project has been successful because of the partnership involving different stakeholders including the consultant, end-user and contractor working together on the technical issues," says Faith Magobolo,

Project Manager at High Voltage HV products for ABB South Africa. "The sheer size of the project we have been able to execute places us in a good position for similar projects."

ABB offers a comprehensive range of high-voltage products up to 1200 kV AC and 1100 kV DC that help enhance the safety, reliability and efficiency of power networks while minimising environmental impact. ABB's high voltage products include circuit breakers, disconnectors, instrument transformers, surge arrestors and capacitors to utilities, mining, industry and renewable energy power producers.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leading global technology company in power and automation that enables utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.

For help with any technical terms in this release, please go to: www.abb.com/glossary For more information please contact:
Confidence Mabulwana

Product Group Manager High Voltage Products, ABB South Africa
Tel: + 27 (0)11 202 6432 confidence.mabulwana@za.abb.com

Media Relations
Tel. +27 10 202 5090 ZA-media-relations@abb.com
ABB South Africa (Pty) Ltd ABB Campus, 2 Lake Rd, Longmeadow Business Estate (North) Modderfontein, 1609 Gauteng, South Africa
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