Earlier this year the City of Tshwane awarded two contracts worth R200-million to ACTOM Power Systems to revamp a couple of substations which were both ravaged by fire.
The substations are the 132/11kV Pyramid substation in the Rooiwal area and the 132/11kV Kentron substation in the Highveld Park area of Centurion.
In both instances the initial focus shall be on constructing new control and switchgear buildings to house the replacement equipment destroyed by the fires.
Thereafter Power Systems will supply, install and cable up a total of 109 new 11kV switchgear panels – 49 for Pyramid and 60 for Kentron – in the new buildings, including associated protection schemes, a SCADA overlay and DC chargers with battery backup.
The replacement 11kV switchboards will consist of the modern premier class AMV12 brand of switchgear developed by ACTOM MV Switchgear in conjunction with an international partner in recent years and now well-proven and widely used in the local market.
The new protection and SCADA panels will be sourced from ACTOM Protection & Control, while ACTOM’s Static Power business will supply the DC systems.
The secondary plant portion of the contracts is being given highest priority to restore the fire damage. “Impromptu repairs were carried out by the municipality to restore power supply as quickly as possible, but the longer-term security of supply shall remain compromised until permanent solutions are implemented, which is what we are doing now,” said John McClure, Power Systems’ General Manager.
These contracts also include a range of new 132kV gear to replace aging equipment in the outdoor yards, so both substations will receive a total facelift by the end date which will be executed over the three-year contract term, as annual funds are released.
The outdoor equipment will comprise 132kV circuit breakers, isolators, current transformers, voltage transformers and surge arrestors – all to be supplied by ACTOM High Voltage Equipment. In addition, the cable and cabling accessories required for the works shall be sourced from ACTOM Electrical Products.
For both contracts Power Systems is obligated to involve and up-skill local labour under the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) and earmark sections of work for local subcontractor participation to develop small businesses from the surrounds.
“These provisions emanate from the Preferential Procurement regulations of 2017 and strike a delicate balance between appointing a reputable contractor with the capacity to be held accountable for contractual delivery; while ensuring that vulnerable and marginalised sectors of society are brought into the fold in a meaningful way,” said John.
