Distribution Transformers recently developed and launched into the market a new design of NECRT that is well in advance of the former model produced by the division, as it is substantially more robust and therefore better suited to Africa’s harsh operating conditions.
Distribution Transformers developed the new product in close collaboration with Eskom, which extended the specifications from those that applied previously to encompass a voltages range of 2.2kV up to 44kV, an Amperes range of 360A to 2800A and a power rating range of 50kVA to 500kVA for the auxiliary transformers of the NECRT’s.
“We worked together with an Eskom delegation of engineers – assisted by an international expert from Germany on their side and a local specialist consultant on our side – in developing the new set of Eskom specifications,” said Lee Mbenge, Distribution Transformers’ Divisional CEO.
“This was after we had been assigned by Eskom to do a root cause analysis of the original product, which resulted in us determining that the specifications applicable were not adequate for the conditions they were exposed to.”
NECRTs are used in transmission and distribution substations for earthing power transformers and are also extensively deployed in renewable energy collector substations.
“The new model NECRT’s are optimally designed to withstand the high harmonic content from the invertors in renewables’ collector substations,” Lee pointed out.
To date, since the new model NECRT’s were launched in January 2013, Distribution Transformers has made sales to several independent power producers (IPP’s) and data centres in the local market. It has also sold units to mining customers in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, Lesotho and Zambia.
In addition, the division recently scored success in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where it has sold a total of 49 NECRT’s for installation in newly-established substations for substantial extensions to the large Kamoa-Kakula underground copper mine, which commenced production in early-2021.
Distribution Transformers won its first order for the NECRT’s for the Kamoa Copper Project in June 2020, comprising five 33kV 100A and four 11kV 300A units, which were delivered at the end of 2020, while the second order in February 2022, comprising two 33kV 100A and five 11kV 300A units, were delivered in mid-2022. A third order, comprising seven 33kV 100A and 14 x 11kV 300A units, were delivered at the end of 2023.
Distribution Transformers currently has a fourth order in hand for five 33kV 100A and five 11kV 300A units for delivery in mid-2024, plus a fifth order for the Kamoa Copper Smelter Project for two 33kV 100A units, delivered at the end of April this year.