Kruisvallei Hydroelectric Plant is a first of its kind Renewable Energy project which were part of South Africa’s REIPPP process, as well as the only Hydro Power Project that was approved under the REIPPP.

Red Rocket – who built, operates & owns the plant, awarded Tractionel the Contract for the Eskom Self Built Works on the project.

The project “Scope of Works” entailed the extension to the existing Node Substation Yard, a complete new 10MVA / 88kV Transformer Bay including all Primary & Secondary Equipment, Supply/Installation, Protection, Automation, SCADA & Commissioning, as well as approximately 50km of 22kV Overhead Lines from Node Substation to the Kruisvallei Hydro Plants.

The project is situated in the Ash River, between Bethlehem and Clarens in the Free State – South Africa. The plant is split into two run-of-river hydropower plants that combine to supply 4MW of hydro-electric power through two turbines that will generate around 24GWh per annum.

Hydro Energy was a great addition in the effort to diversifying the energy generation platforms in South Africa and Tractionel Enterprise were privileged to be part of this pioneering project.

Tractionel were a privileged construction partner to Red Rocket in completing the project and achieving Commercial Operation in February 2021, thus ensuring another success story of the REIPPP.