Hitachi Energy to secure power supply in Africa’s longest HVDC link
November 2022
Electrical Power & Protection
News
Hitachi Energy has signed a long-term service agreement with Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL), the national electricity company of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to secure power supply in the country’s most important power transmission asset: the Inga-Kolwezi high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link.
The link supplies up to 1000 megawatts of emission-free electricity from the Inga Falls hydropower plant in the far west of the country to the Kolwezi mining region in the south. With a length of 1700 kilometres, it is the longest HVDC link in Africa. It also enables the DRC to export surplus power to the member countries of the Southern African Power Pool, which currently comprise Angola, Botswana, DRC, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The agreement continues the close collaboration between SNEL and Hitachi Energy over the past 40 years to ensure the link operates at maximum availability and reliability over its long operating life. Hitachi supplied the two converter stations at either end of the link in 1982 and has subsequently upgraded them and doubled transmission capacity.
As part of the agreement, Hitachi Energy will assess the precise service needs of the converter stations, develop a preventive maintenance programme and supervise its implementation over the next five years. The agreement includes training, knowledge sharing and expertise enhancement of SNEL service personnel.
“We are delighted to be continuing our long collaboration with SNEL to protect the nation’s investment in its most important power transmission link,” said Andreas Berthou, HVDC and HVDC Service global product group manager at Hitachi Energy. “This long-term service agreement demonstrates how we work closely with the customer to secure availability and reliability over the entire lifetime of the asset.”
“Hitachi Energy has been a close and valued partner of SNEL for almost 50 years, when we first collaborated on the design of what was then a ground-breaking HVDC link with the world’s longest transmission line,” said Jean-Bosco Kayombo Kayan, CEO of SNEL. “Since then, we have worked closely together to increase the capacity and maximise the reliability of this critical national infrastructure.”
For more information contact Jocelyn Chang, Hitachi Energy, +41 79 384 7775, [email protected], www.hitahienergy.com
Further reading:
South African businesses can alleviate energy price crisis
Electrical Power & Protection
While grid instability remains a concern, the immediate and most critical driver of South African commercial and industrial investment in renewable energy is the escalating cost of electricity.
Read more...
Real-time modelling is the key to a resilient, bi-directional energy grid
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Utilities and municipalities are facing a challenge as the country’s legacy power grid, engineered for one-way energy delivery from centralised suppliers to end-users, must rapidly evolve to meet a new paradigm.
Read more...
Shielding data centre growth from the looming power crunch
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Today’s digital economy is placing unprecedented strain on the power grid. The good news is that these challenges are not insurmountable. By adopting proactive strategies such as alternative power sources, infrastructure planning and software, operators can secure capacity, build resilient facilities and scale sustainably.
Read more...
Circuit breaker innovations
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Recent advancements in circuit breaker technology have seen a major step forward in setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability in data centres, industrial and commercial infrastructure.
Read more...
Common battery tester errors and what they mean
Comtest
Electrical Power & Protection
Battery testers help quickly assess battery health, diagnose issues, and determine whether a battery needs a charge or replacement. This guide covers some of the most common battery tester errors, what they mean, and what can cause them.
Read more...
Cathodic protection design considerations that influence ESG outcomes
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Electrical Power & Protection
Major infrastructure like wharves, bridges, pipelines and tanks are at constant risk of corrosion. David Celine, managing director of cathodic protection specialist Omniflex, explains how CP system design can support ESG commitments, while simultaneously lowering costs and improving maintenance capabilities.
Read more...
Africa’s digital future – building critical power infrastructure for data centre leadership
Electrical Power & Protection
Africa’s digital economy is growing rapidly, and countries like South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are leading the way. However, a major challenge remains. Sustainable and reliable power systems must form the backbone of Africa’s digital growth to ensure lasting success.
Read more...
Recovering condensate and waste heat
Electrical Power & Protection
According to Associated Energy Services, strong partnerships with thermal energy users optimise opportunities to benefit from condensate return. waste heat recovery and the prevention of system contamination.
Read more...
Quantum engine powered by particle entanglement
Electrical Power & Protection
In a landmark achievement that signals a new era in energy research, a team of physicists in China has carried out the first successful test of a quantum engine powered by particle entanglement. This technological breakthrough represents a fundamental shift in our approach to energy production.
Read more...
Advancing sustainability in South Africa’s fruit industry
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric, together with Technoserve Medium Voltage, has implemented its advanced SF6-free MV switchgear at Two-a-Day situated in Grabouw in the Overberg district.
Read more...
printer friendly version