Power-full
Powerlines manufacturing facility reaches full single shift production capacity
Our powerlines business has been awarded four major contracts. The scope of work for the four contracts includes full foundation engineering, manufacturing, testing, project management and construction of high voltage overhead transmission lines, along with foundation installation, tower manufacture, assembly, erection and dressing and tension stringing. The transmission lines will be used to reinforce the Eskom transmission grid and integrate Medupi and Kusile power station into the national grid.
We recently secured the Eskom National Contract for hardware manufacture and supply. This has resulted in the company being at optimal single shift factory production capacity.
Earlier this year we were awarded sections A and B of the Ferrum-Nieuwehoop project for a 260 km 400 kV line. The project is significant for two reasons:
- it is the longest transmission line awarded to a single contractor since the mid-1980s
- it provided the opportunity to roll out new foundation technology - Babcock developed a single micro-piled anchor that can be drilled into the ground with minimal surface damage and environmental impact. This sophisticated mechanism is quicker to install, saving the client time and money
Recently we were awarded section A of the Kendal-Zeus/Kusile-Zeus 400 kV transmission line that will integrate Kusile power station into the national grid. The 76 km 400 kV Kusile transmission line is supported by 201 towers. The towers are heavier than normal with a combined tower weight totalling approximately 2 900 tonnes. This is due to the the complex line route which navigates a congested farming area.
The fourth contract falls under the Masa-Ngwedi 400 kV and 765 kV scheme in Limpopo. It is a 21-month contract to build two portions of the Masa-Ngwedi line that reinforces the link of Medupi power station to the national grid. Both transmission lines are 80 kilometres in length and require approximately 5 400 tonnes of tower steel. Babcock was a contractor in the first phase of the Medupi project and was awarded the new contract through a competitive bidding process.
As the second largest transmission line player by value of contracts won, and the largest if you go by kilometres of lines to be built, Babcock is well positioned in the southern African power transmission sector.
Besides our proven track record, we have the added advantage of being able to offer customers equipment hire from our plant services business as well as cranes to lift the towers once they have been assembled on the ground.