Founded as a specialist in dry-type transformers, Trafo Power Solutions has expanded its vision to become a leading provider of electrical power solutions in Africa. Managing Director, David Claassen explains how the company has leveraged its depth of expertise and growing reputation across many sectors to extend its range of offerings.
Dry-type transformers in the assembly line to be installed in a containerised substation solution at Trafo Power Solutions.
Having rapidly carved a niche in dry-type transformer applications in Africa, Trafo Power Solutions has steadily grown its offerings. This evolution has been underpinned by the company’s strong design and engineering capability, and its in-depth technical understanding of various aspects of electrical projects. Claassen says Trafo’s success to date has been based on its customised design and quick execution of solutions that fit into the broader project requirements.
“We have a reputation for how well we understand the conditions and applications in which our transformers must operate,” Claassen says. “This broad technical knowledge has also allowed us to build more complete solutions that include a transformer as one of the many components.”
For instance, Trafo Power Solutions has been growing into the field of integrated modular substations for the mining and other sectors. These installations have seen particularly enthusiastic uptake in mining due to the often remote locations at which power is required. Building a traditional brick-and-mortar substation on site can be complex and time consuming, whereas a modular substation, or e-house, can be built and tested in a specialised workshop – and then shipped to site.
Control and protection in a containerised substation for a renewable energy application.
“Our dry-type transformers are ideally suited for these installations, as their high safety rating allows them to be integrated into the substation structure during assembly,” he says. “In contrast, conventional oil-cooled transformers carry a higher safety risk, so they usually need to be located separately; they also need protective infrastructure to ensure that any oil leakage does not cause environmental contamination.”
With its depth of expertise and experience, Trafo Power Solutions is equipped to design and supply entire modular substations, and it has supplied these to customers around Africa. A recent order, for a skid-mounted solution, was undertaken for a mining customer in Australia, and completed in a short timeframe that competitors could not match.
The company’s strategy to grow its range of electrical power solutions further is supported by its established relationships with blue-chip customers, which include end-users, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms and electrical consultants.
“We see our engineering capability as the heart of our business, so we focus on adding value in our customer relationships,” Claassen says. “We are also strengthening our footprint across Africa to be closer to customers, developing links with specialist in-country partners as we develop and apply high value solutions.”
For more information visit: https://www.trafo.co.za/
