Project Update: Seriti Vunumoya MTS, Nomoya Switching Station, 132kV Line & 400kV LILO and Transposition Towers
We are pleased to provide you with a comprehensive update on the progress of the Seriti Green Vunumoya MTS, Nomoya Switching Station, 132kV Line & 400kV LILO, and Transposition Towers project. As we move through the execution phase, we are excited to share the current status, and the road ahead.
Project Overview
The scope of this turnkey project includes the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and handover of key infrastructure components, including the Vunumoya 400kV/132kV Vunumoya MTS, 132kV Nomoya SS, 132kV line, 400kV LILO, and transposition towers with remote-end upgrades to Eskom, as stipulated in the self-build agreement.
Tractionel Enterprise has been entrusted with overseeing the complete construction of the project. This includes engineering, manufacturing, factory acceptance testing, and quality assurance, in addition to ensuring the safe transport, installation, and commissioning of all components to the site. Furthermore, our team is also responsible for the rehabilitation of the site upon completion.
Early Works
It’s hard to believe that more than a year has passed since the early stages of this project were “unpacked” and transitioned into the execution phase, with Early Works officially commencing on the 30th of November 2023. Thanks to favourable weather conditions, we were able to successfully complete this phase by early February 2024.
However, delays beyond our control prevented an immediate start of the balance of the works. Despite this setback, we are proud to report that as of 11 April 2024, we were over 70% complete on the 18-month project timeline.
Key Achievements (Interim Period)
In the interim, significant progress has been made in various areas, including:
• Platform Construction: Over 88,000m² of platform was created, involving:
o Removal of 1m of topsoil across the entire area
o 160,000m³ of material stockpiled
o 112,000m³ of hard rock blasted and crushed
o Reworking of the material into a stable platform for further development
• Plant and Structural Steel: The primary plant has been ordered, with delivery expected soon. Additionally, 80% of the structural steel has already been erected on site.
Civil Works
A critical partner in this project has been Enza Construction, whose expertise has been vital in executing the civil works. They have contributed significantly to maintaining our schedule and meeting project milestones.
Enza’s scope has involved the construction of two platforms—one for Transmission (Tx) and one for Distribution (Dx). While the Dx platform is smaller in comparison, it has benefited from material generated through the bulk earthworks, blasting, and crushing efforts on the Tx platform. The careful coordination and execution of these works have been essential to keeping the project on track.
Looking Ahead
As we approach the completion of the civil works phase, the focus of the project will now shift towards electrical works and installations. Tractionel Enterprises, together with specialized contractors, will be collaborating closely with Eskom to deliver the following:
• Electrical installations on both Transmission (Tx) and Distribution (Dx) platforms
• Overhead line works on the 132kV and 400kV lines
• Completion of associated works at the line endpoints for Eskom
With each milestone, the team is committed to ensuring the project progresses smoothly and meets all necessary specifications for the successful handover to Eskom.
Conclusion
We are extremely proud of the progress made so far and remain committed to delivering this project on time and within the agreed specifications. The next phases will involve intensive coordination and precise execution to ensure the safe, successful installation of Electrical Infrastructure that will serve Eskom and contribute to the broader energy grid. This is likely to be the first project of its kind being delivered entirely by the private sector for Eskom’s Grid Strengthening Programme. Thank you to the team at large and everyone involved in making this project execution a success.
