Areva’s T&D division expects to be contributing to the reinforcement of the South African electricity network through a contract worth €12 million with public utility Eskom, Africa’s largest electricity producer.
The order is for Areva T&D’s “PIX” range of medium voltage switchgear cubicles that will be installed at the Medupi power station in South Africa’s Limpopo province. PIX cubicles incorporate Areva T&D’s “HVX” type circuit breaker and digital protection and control relays from the company’s MiCOM range, which can be configured according to customer requirements.
The products are scheduled for delivery in batches starting in July 2010 with final deliveries three years later. In partnership with local industrial partner Actom, this order is Areva T&D’s first for PIX products in South Africa. It is in line with its strategy of increasing involvement in the country’s primary distribution market.
Commenting on this deal, Joachim Dams, product line vp said, “This customised order marks an important step in our aim to increase market share in South Africa. We won this order thanks to a combination of our best-in-class technology, competitive products, and effective and transparent communication with the customer”.
Medupi Power Station is a dry-cooled, coal-fired power station currently under construction by Eskom. It is located near Lephalale in Limpopo province, South Africa. Once complete, the power station will have six boilers each powering an 800 MW turbine, producing 4800 MW of power. It will be the largest dry-cooled coal-fired power station in the world.
