Building on its commitment to be closer to customers in Africa, General Electric (GE) and China-based high-voltage (HV) trans- mission equipment manufacturer XD Electric Group have partnered to combine GE’s intelligent controls with XD Electric’s portfolio of HV equipment.

The partnership expands GE’s capabilities as a provider of transmission and distribu- tion (T&D) solutions and creates a new competitor to provide HV solutions for utilities and energy-intensive industries. GE and XD Electric now offer end-to-end T&D solutions to meet growing demand for electricity in emerging African economies, where demographic and urbanisation trends are creating a need to expand the current grid infrastructure.

Currently, 3.5-billion people, half of the world’s population, live in cities. This number is expected to grow to five-billion by 2030. This increase will require sustained electrical infrastructure investments to support water, power, energy and telecommunications systems. The rise in global electricity demand and population growth are economic drivers leading the expansion of the $100-billion T&D industry.

Utilities will be able to expand their T&D systems with HV transformers, circuit breakers, HV breakers, gas-insulated switchgear and other HV equipment to improve reliability.

The partnership will provide utilities with the T&D solutions necessary to outpace these megatrends, thereby increasing electricity demand. GE and XD Electric will also provide energy-intensive industries with the HV solutions necessary to meet the rapid electrification of industrial processes.

Further, the modernisation of electrical systems is contributing to the industry’s growth, driven by new requirements to integrate renewable and distributed power sources. The electrification of industrial processes in energy-intensive industries, such as in mining and metals, will also drive electrical infrastructure investments as they upgrade their equipment to improve the efficiency of their operations.

XD Electric’s technology enables cus- tomers to transform and direct the flow of power for industrial, commercial and residential users. GE is a global provider of grid modernisation systems that enhance customers’ power reliability and operating efficiency. GE’s global reach, domain exper- tise and strong customer relationships in utility and energy-intensive industries, such as oil and gas, metals and mining, will help the partnership broaden its customer footprint.

Africa’s economy is growing faster than that of any other continent and one-third of Africa’s countries have yearly growth rates of more than 6%, according to the African Development Bank. With tremendous economic and population growth comes a greater need to build reliable, safe and efficient electrical infrastructure.

“In Africa, we’re focused on grid expan- sion projects and greenfield network inter- connections, as we continue to create a modern power grid that is stable, resilient and energy efficient,” says GE Digital Energy Business senior product manager Amen Saeed.