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.