South Africa’s first self-build main transmission substation (MTS), by an independent power producer (IPP), has been completed and energised. The Koruson 400/132 kV MTS outside Noupoort in the Northern Cape, has been designed and built to connect 1.5 GW of renewable energy to the national grid.
Carl Wlotzka, Senior Project Manager, EDF Renewables.
The project has been developed by a consortium led by EDF Renewables, with partners, H1 Holdings, Gibb-Crede, and a local community trust. The consortium is also developing the adjacent Koruson 1 cluster of projects, which will connect to the grid through the MTS, as part of Round 5 of the IPP Office’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
The MTS, which is integrated into an existing 400 kV overhead line, will provide the infrastructure for the renewable energy farms to complete their respective connections to the grid and start exporting energy.
Tshepo Tshivhasa, Head of Grid Engineering at EDF Renewables highlights the project’s several firsts. “This is the first greenfield transmission substation in more than seven years to be connected to the grid, and it is the first greenfield transmission substation that is a full self-build – developed, financed, engineered, constructed, and commissioned by an independent power producer. It also marks the first time that the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) has approved a self-build scope of works of this magnitude.”
EDF Renewables has commissioned the Koruson main transmission substation.
Phase 1 of the energisation will see the Koruson 1 project connect three wind energy facilities (WEFs), totalling 420 MW, to the national grid. In Phase 2, the neighbouring Envusa Energy Koruson 2 project, will connect two WEFs and a solar farm, totalling 520 MW, to the national grid. Each of the individual renewable energy facilities will have its own distribution connection, consisting of 132 kV overhead lines and Eskom switching stations, built under a self-build agreement with the national grid operator.
“This MTS includes the implementation of a full suite of the latest Phase 6 protection, control, and automation schemes, some of which were developed specifically as part of this project, enhancing operational reliability and efficiency,” says Carl Wlotzka, Senior Project Manager, EDF Renewables.
Additionally, he notes that the MTS integration into the existing transmission network alters grid dynamics. “This meant modifications were required, such as the replacement of two 400 kV towers with new 400 kV transposition towers, to ensure compliance with the latest operational standards.
“With advances in technologies and the private sector taking on what typically used to be a grid operator project, one can expect to encounter challenges that need to be overcome. EDF Renewables, its contractors, and the national grid entity, continued to push through the challenges and table solutions to bring realisation,” said Wlotzka.
“The entire team has worked extremely hard and is proud to be part of this ‘first of its kind’ project, which will lay the foundations for future self-build (and NTCSA) projects in South Africa. This project marks a significant step forward in strengthening South Africa’s renewable energy infrastructure while maintaining grid stability and efficiency,” said Tristan de Drouas, CEO of EDF Renewables.
For more information visit: www.edf-re.co.za