Power outages ratchet up generator demand

THIS YEAR’S power outages impressed
upon many perishables shippers the
need for generators to ensure a steady
supply of electricity for reefers and cold
storage facilities.
Since January 1990, the Midrand
firm Generator and Plant Hire, with
offices in Cape Town, Durban and
Richards Bay, has provided this
equipment. At first servicing factories
with 600-700 kv generators, so
large they must travel on flatbeds as
abnormal loads, the company in more
recent years has also serviced the
needs of perishables movers and cold
storage operators.
“Over recent weeks the situation
has stabilised, but earlier in the year,
around February and March, there was
a huge demand for generator rental
and sales,” said company managing
director Dave Pretorius.
The firm has 100 500 kv generators
on hire to various perishables
companies, and new customers’ needs
are assessed to custom-fit a power
supply to their operations.
“For reefers we might fit the
generator to the trailer or use a ‘clip on’
model for the container. At dockside
the reefer is either patched into the
power point of the port generator or
the municipal power supply,”
said Pretorius.
Some companies find it prudent
to purchase generators outright.
“Depending if cash is available, they
will buy, or they can enter into a longterm
rental of three to five years with
the option to purchase at a minimal
cost at the end of the period,”
Pretorius said.
Generator and Plant Hire’s five large
Mercedes Benz trucks are equipped
with cranes to move the large units
throughout SA.