357t transformer begins its journey from Rotterdam

The first of seven transformers – and the biggest by power rating (910MVA) ever to be brought into South Africa – for the R120-billion Medupi Power Station being built near Lephalale in Limpopo province, is en-route to South Africa. Manufactured by Siemens in Europe, the transformer was shipped out of Rotterdam and is expected in Richards Bay at the end of February from where it will be moved by road to the power station. According to Kriba Naiken, managing director of African Project Logistics (APL), the projects division of logistics company ICM Group who are responsible for transporting the transformer, it is set to reach the Medupi power station towards the end of March. “This is the biggest transformer ever to be brought into Africa. Weighing in at around 357 tons, it will be slow going by road.” Measuring 12.1 meters in length, 4.1 meters in width and is 5 meters high, it is also accompanied by some 180 tons of accessories. “We are going to use a specialised beam trailer – of which there is only one in the country – to move the transformer to the power station. We have worked very closely with all the role-players monitoring the route and all risks have been identified and dealt with.” According to Naiken there is no room for mistakes as any damage or delays have huge consequential impacts for Eskom's first large-scale power generation investment in more than two decades. The Medupi project, which is the biggest dry-cooled power station currently under construction internationally, will have six boilers each powering an 800 MW turbine, producing 4800 MW of power, making it probably the biggest dry-cooled power station in the world. Medupi will be supplied by coal from Exxaro’s Grootegeluk coal mine, with whom Eskom has already placed a contract to supply 14.6 MT coal per year for the next 40 years. The first 800 MW unit of the power station is expected to be commissioned in early 2012, with the next units following at nine month intervals. “There is a lot of excitement around this project,” said Naiken. He said much planning and effort had gone into the project to ensure that the sensitive internal moving components of the transformer were being kept safe at all times, and that it arrived in South Africa – and ultimately its final destination.