Apr 7, 2022 | 2022
SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA (SSPM) achieves a Phoenix milestone event by successfully testing a 45MVA transformer in the newly built test facility at the Pretoria Power factory.
SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA is proud to celebrate a significant milestone marking the commissioning and operation of the on-site testing facility since the fire accident at the Pretoria power manufacturing plant in March 2021. The team successfully manufactured and tested a 45MVA 88/11kV double-wound three-phase transformer, manufactured for a local utility on 8 March 2022 in the newly built on-site test facility. This achievement is a momentous occasion, marking the one-year anniversary of the unfortunate fire accident and is testament to the excellent and focused efforts and teamwork of everyone involved in the rebuild project.
The rebuild project to reconstruct the fire damaged plant and equipment is progressing well and remains on schedule. The company is taking full advantage of this rise from the ashes opportunity to modernize and improve the plant and equipment, and deliver a best-in-class manufacturing and testing facilities.
The Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) commenced on 28 February 2022 and concluded on 8 March 2022 and included full wave Lighting Impulses of 450kV on the HV, 170kV on the HV Neutral, 95kV on the LV line terminals and Neutral. The Applied Voltage (Separate Source), LTAC induced voltage, induced voltage withstand and induced voltage with partial discharge measurements for 1-hour were also successfully conducted resulting in the unit successfully passing all required transformer tests.
The Pretoria plant has a manufacturing capacity from 5 MVA 66kV up to and including 800 MVA 420 kV and incorporates power and specialized transformers (such as but not limited to furnace, rectifier, traction transformers, shunt reactors and related equipment). All transformers manufactured are tested according to international standards (IEC 60076).
About SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA
SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA is owned by SGB-SMIT (GmbH) and Power Matla (Pty) Limited. SGB-SMIT is the pure-play transformer specialist from Europe with the highest customer dedication. Our group stands for professionalism, experience, technological expertise, reliability and economic efficiency contributing to a sustainable future. The group’s headquarters are in Regensburg, Germany and has representation in 80 countries worldwide with plants in Germany, the Netherlands, USA, Romania, Malaysia, India, China, the Czech Republic, South Africa and France. With transformer expertise since 1913 they produce transformers ranging from 50 kVA up to 1,200 MVA. Power Matla (Pty) Ltd is a local investment black empowered company with portfolios within the renewable energy, ICT, healthcare, mining and power utilities markets providing good shareholder value and solid returns.
SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA is the largest power transformer manufacturer in Sub-Saharan Africa and has more than 75 years of local South African history – backed by the global strength and expertise of the SGB-SMIT Group, spanning more than 114 years. The company has the capability to design, manufacture, test, install and commission a wide range of power and distribution transformers within the two manufacturing plants located in Cape Town (distribution) and Pretoria (Power). The company has a fully equipped laboratory in Pretoria, with testing capability for materials testing (including transformer oil) and also supports external clients.
Mar 31, 2022 | 2022
The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) is a professional association dedicated to “the interest of professional Electrical and Electronic Engineering in South Africa”. The SAIEE hosts an annual award, recognising the most outstanding young achiever of the year in the field of Electrical/Electronic engineering.
SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA has been the exclusive lead sponsor of this prestigious award for over 25 years, named the Keith Plowden Award. Keith Plowden was a former MD of the company, a past president of the SAIEE and was also a professional electrical . The award is aimed at young outstanding professional achievers, and recognises the winner’s spirit of achievement, creativity and leadership in the workplace, together with an innovative, entrepreneurial and an infectious enthusiasm.
Neo Mapapanyane is the winner of the 2021 award. She joined the SAIEE in 2020 as a member and committee member of the Central Gauteng Centre (CGC), and also served under the SAIEE CGC as a Corporate and Social Investment (CSI) portfolio leader. Neo was recognised for her extraordinary efforts in planning and hosting on-line career guidance in July 2020 for grade 12 learners interested in pursuing an electrical engineering career. She wanted to promote and increase the interest specifically in previously disadvantaged communities. This initiative speaks to Neo’s passion and recognition of the engineer’s role in the community. She is an outstanding role model to youth and all SAIEE members, deserves this remarkable award.
This award is sponsored annually by SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA. We congratulate Neo on being the 2021 recipient of this prestigious award.
L-R: : Mluleki Hlatshwayo, SGB-SMIT Power Matla, Neo Mapapanyane, 2021 Keith Plowden Young Achiever Award winner and Prof Sunil Maharaj, 2021 SAIEE President
Mar 13, 2022 | 2022
SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA is the largest power transformer in Southern Africa. The company enjoys the advantages of its’ local South African history spanning more than 75 years within the African continent and backed by the global strength and expertise of the SGB-SMIT Group, spanning more than 114 years. The company has the capability to design, manufacture, test, install and commission a wide range of power and distribution transformers within the two manufacturing plants located in Cape Town (distribution) and Pretoria (Power). The company has a fully equipped laboratory in Pretoria, which can test various materials (including transformer oil) and complements the service department, in addition to supporting external companies and clients.
The contract with a Ugandan Utility for the design, manufacture, testing, installation and commissioning of 20MVA 132/11kV and 20MVA 33/11kV transformers for a project in Njeru, Jinja, Uganda, formerly known as Owen Falls Dam. This hydroelectric power station is situated across the White Nile near to its source at Lake Victoria. Nalubaale is the Luganda name for Lake Victoria. These transformers will replace the existing transformers which will be decommissioned.
The recent FAT result clearly demonstrates the plant and people capability, successfully testing transformers whilst the Pretoria test bay undergoes repairs, due to the fire accident in March this year. This success is the result of great teamwork – both in the factory in Pretoria and within the wider SGB-SMIT Group. This demonstrates the strong capability, skillset and motivation within the local South African team, which also shows the South African manufacturing capacity and capability, especially within the African continent. The Group technical support represents a tremendous competitive advantage and is a crucial aspect for the South African team to continue on the path of continuous improvement.
The support given from The Department of Trade Industry and Competition (the dtic) has been of immense help to the company both from a financial and technical perspective.
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