Since March, the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) division of electromechanical equipment manufacturer ACTOM has been building the 1 000 MVA main transmission substation for the Overberg Wind Farm, near Swellendam, in the Western Cape.
The substation, which will be completed in December, will ensure electricity generated by the wind farm, being developed by renewable-energy independent power producer (IPP) Red Rocket, can be delivered reliably into the grid.
Additionally, the generation and transmission infrastructure being built in Swellendam is starting to reshape the scale of opportunity in the area, the company says.
“This type of infrastructure changes a region's trajectory. This substation, which is one of the largest of its kind in the country, supports more than the wind farm and is part of a larger investment picture for Swellendam,” says ACTOM EPC divisional CEO Nicholas Msibi.
The infrastructure will boost electricity capacity and brings in economic activity that stimulates long-term growth in the local communities.
The company serves as the integrator and solutions provider for the project. It conceptualised the engineering solution, completed the detailed design, is building the plant and will commission it for the client, he says.
Further, the area’s strong wind resource has made it a natural focal point for IPPs, which will drive further requirements for infrastructure to integrate generation into the grid, he adds.
The company aligned its local development objectives with those of Red Rocket. It prioritised local recruitment and integrated semiskilled and unskilled workers from the surrounding communities into its project teams.
“Our local development objectives are designed to leave the community with skilled people. By the time we leave, there will be artisans, technicians and trained personnel ready for future projects,” says Msibi.
“The scale and progress of the Overberg Wind Farm project highlight South Africa’s engineering strength. This large-scale collaboration demonstrates South Africa's capability to deliver complex energy infrastructure,” he says.
Additionally, the experience gained through this development expands the country’s technical base, thereby making the project a foundation for further infrastructure delivery in South Africa, he adds.
Meanwhile, ACTOM EPC is installing a technologically advanced 500 MVA transformer on the project in partnership with an international company.
The substation project also incorporates advanced security systems, including dark‑camera monitoring linked to State-owned power utility Eskom’s control centre.