Transformers, Substations + The Grid

Industrial substations – faster and smarter

Consider a familiar scenario. A multi-million-rand mine modernisation project was on schedule: haul roads graded, crushers installed, and processing plant foundations poured. But the substation construction hit a bottleneck. Coordination gaps, procurement delays, and safety issues caused setbacks. The weather didn’t help either. What was meant to happen last week became next month’s problem. Equipment remained unpowered, commissioning schedules slipped, and temporary measures put a strain on budgets.

Fully digital AI-ready substation delivered to NamPower

Namibia’s power utility, NamPower, has officially commissioned the Sekelduin 132/66/33 kV Substation near Swakopmund, reportedly Africa’s first fully digital substation.

SA-designed mobile substation for an Australian mine

South Africa-based Trafo Power Solutions has recently supplied a turnkey mobile transformer solution to an Australian mining customer. Managing Director, David Claassen, says this success is underpinned by Trafo Power Solutions’ depth of experience across industries, combined with its in-house design expertise and a responsive approach to business, which is opening doors for it to grow its export markets.

Copper-aluminium busbar to help counter infrastructure vandalism

Copper theft continues to place enormous strain on utilities, municipalities, and industry, often resulting in costly damage, downtime, and unsafe electrical environments.

ACTOM expands local manufacturing capacity for transformers

ACTOM last week officially opened its Pretoria Power Transformers manufacturing facility. This follows the group’s strategic acquisition of SGB Smit Power Matla when that company was struggling to emerge from a business rescue process and overcome concurrent challenges. The acquisition, which represents a major investment by ACTOM, was structured as an asset transaction including the SSPM facilities and the transfer of staff.

Powering municipal utilities

Municipalities throughout South Africa are facing rising energy demands and increasing costs – as well as opportunities to participate in a new market of energy independence and self-sufficiency. Modern power generation, storage, management, and transmission innovations bring the energy market closer to municipalities.