Namibia’s power utility, NamPower, has officially commissioned the Sekelduin 132/66/33 kV Substation near Swakopmund, reportedly Africa’s first fully digital substation.
The facility strengthens grid reliability, enables future load growth in the Erongo region, and sets a new benchmark for digital energy infrastructure on the continent. ACTOM served as the main supplier, EPC contractor, and systems integrator, demonstrating its engineering expertise and digital innovation.
A continental first
Built at a cost of N$394 million (US$22.6 million), Sekelduin is Africa’s first fully digital substation designed and delivered by African teams for African energy needs. The facility uses process bus and station bus applications aligned with IEC 61850 standards, fibre-optic communication, and hybrid AIS/GIS switchgear, enabling real-time monitoring, remote control, and predictive maintenance.
Casbah Zwane, Divisional CEO of ACTOM High Voltage Equipment, said: “This is a continental first – a fully digital substation delivered by African expertise for Africa. Operators can now monitor live data and control switching remotely, reducing physical intervention and enhancing safety,” Zwane added.
The digital infrastructure is also AI- and machine learning-ready, allowing NamPower to plan for future energy demand, integrate digital transformation initiatives, and maintain operational excellence.
“Enabling preventive maintenance rather than reactive maintenance means saving time, reducing costs, and improving reliability,” said Phuluso Mnisi, Project Manager at ACTOM High Voltage Equipment.
Sekelduin also represents the adoption of new international engineering standards, bringing advanced European practices to Africa and successfully applying them in a challenging coastal desert environment.
Strengthening the grid
The new substation provides a critical feed to Namibia’s coastal network, improving grid reliability and supporting future load growth along the Erongo corridor. Its compact indoor AIS/GIS and metal-enclosed GIS designs optimise space and protect equipment from the harsh coastal and desert conditions.
“The substation is built to adapt to future needs – additional power, new feeders – keeping Namibia at the forefront of digital energy innovation,” Zwane said.
ACTOM coordinated collaboration across several of its divisions to ensure safe energising, seamless integration of all systems, and strict adherence to timelines and budget in delivering the substation.
“Bringing these ACTOM divisions together at one site allowed us to manage complex challenges efficiently and deliver a fully integrated substation,” Mnisi added.
The project demonstrates ACTOM’s “one-stop-shop” approach, which reduces risk for customers during integration and provides long-term support through after-sales service and maintenance. “For our customers, working with ACTOM means a complete solution - from design and integration to ongoing support,” Zwane said.
Looking to Africa’s energy future
Sekelduin sets a benchmark for cyber-secure, scalable, AI-ready digital substations across Africa. The project also provides valuable lessons for future developments, including the benefits of adopting international engineering standards, integrating multi-division expertise, leveraging digital systems for predictive maintenance, and designing for extreme environmental conditions.
“NamPower is setting the standard, and other utilities across the continent will follow,” Zwane said. “ACTOM’s collaborative, approach demonstrates how we manage complex projects and reduce risk for the customer.”
With Sekelduin now operational, Namibia is strengthening its grid, ready to accommodate future demand in the Erongo region, and demonstrating how African expertise and technology can drive digital transformation, energy reliability, and continental innovation.
The substation is a model for the future of power infrastructure in Africa. “This project shows that African engineering teams can deliver world-class future-ready digital infrastructure,” Mnisi said.
For more information visit: www.actom.co.za
