News


Robust growth across Africa for Zest Energy

October 2012 News

Zest Energy, part of the Zest Weg Group, is experiencing robust growth across the African continent in three key energy generation arenas: power generation, substations and co-generation. “Although our company started out with an initial focus on power generation, we soon recognised that every power plant needs infrastructure and out of this necessity the other two segments have emerged,” says Zest Energy managing director, Coenraad Vrey. “Being part of the Weg Group has given us invaluable access to equipment, services and technology, as well as the group’s decades of international experience in substation and infrastructure projects, notably in developing regions like South America.

The Zest Energy team (l to r): Nicky Hariparsad, chief financial officer; Coenraad Vrey, managing director; Gary Daines, sales and marketing director; Louis Meiring, chief executive officer; Alastair Gerrard, projects manager and Luiz Fernando Ribeiro, logistics director.
The Zest Energy team (l to r): Nicky Hariparsad, chief financial officer; Coenraad Vrey, managing director; Gary Daines, sales and marketing director; Louis Meiring, chief executive officer; Alastair Gerrard, projects manager and Luiz Fernando Ribeiro, logistics director.

“The solutions we have been proposing to customers are therefore comprehensive, innovative and cost effective and have placed us in a leading position in southern Africa. Our differentiator is being able to supply total integrated solutions specific to power and infrastructure.

“The power plants we build are fit-for-purpose which means we do not have specific agreements with OEMs, instead we utilise the equipment that will provide a unique solution for each customer. We understand the significant capital cost requirement involved in building a power station and the Zest Energy team’s depth of engineering experience on power plants enables us to specify the most appropriate equipment for each application.

“Most of our work is currently taking place outside of South Africa, with many of these projects in remote areas, so the systems we are familiar with installing are multi-functional, with standby units that assist with voltage stability and protect against equipment and production loss in the event of a power interruption.”

Zest Energy is presently working on a generator upgrade contract awarded by Barrick Gold at its Bulyanhulu operations in Tanzania. Scheduled for completion in September 2012, this contract was awarded amid tough competition and involves the supply of a bank of six 2 MW Caterpillar containerised generator sets. This equipment is being integrated into the existing network of 20 generators of various sizes already in operation on the mine and Vrey comments that the challenge was to integrate the off the shelf, standard generators with the existing plant infrastructure, which often has limited functionality. To provide local support and in line with local government requirements, Zest Energy is exploring the opportunity of establishing a dedicated office in Tanzania.

The company has also just completed another generator upgrade project at Lonmin’s Western Platinum refinery in the Brakpan area. The project involved upgrading the existing 2 MVA prime power generators with two new 2,2 MVA power generators that run in parallel when it is necessary to support power supply to the refinery.

For more information contact Jamie Wilson, Zest Weg Group, +27 (0)11 723 6000, [email protected], www.zest.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...
Comtest calibration user group seminar
Comtest News
Comtest invites metrology and calibration professionals to a focused technical seminar series aimed at demystifying some of the most common hurdles in inter-laboratory comparisons.

Read more...
Functional safety explained
News
The SAIMC supports Pepperl+Fuchs, a National Member, in a free four-part online seminar series focused on Functional Safety.

Read more...
The Future of manufacturing in Africa
News
The future and development of African manufacturing will be discussed extensively at the upcoming Manufacturing Indaba conference, to be hosted on 15 to 16 July 2025 at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre.

Read more...
Hot topics at IFAT Africa and analytica Lab Africa 2025
News
Burning issues such as climate-smart infrastructure, sustainability in waste and water management, the circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility will come under discussion at the three-day conference and forum presented by analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg from 8 to 10 July 2025.

Read more...
RS South Africa showcases industrial solutions at MTE Phalaborwa
News
RS South Africa recently showcased its latest industrial and electronic solutions at the Mining and Technical Exhibition in Phalaborwa in Limpopo.

Read more...
Specialised Exhibitions appoints Joshua Low as commercial director for Africa
News
Specialised Exhibitions has appointed Joshua Low as commercial director for Africa. This strategic addition to the leadership team comes as Specialised Exhibitions embarks on an ambitious phase of growth across the African continent.

Read more...
WearCheck earns Dissolved Gas Analysis accreditation
Wearcheck News
WearCheck is now accredited to perform Dissolved Gas Analysis for transformers, following a recent assessment by SANAS.

Read more...
From the editor's desk: Riding the hype cycle
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control) News
The other day I came across an entertaining article on the ten biggest tech failures of the last decade. Google Glass, 3D TV and Elon Musk’s hyperloop have faded into obscurity. Others, like the metaverse, ...

Read more...
STEMulator – a gift to the youth of the nation
Editor's Choice News
STEMulator is a groundbreaking virtual platform designed to ignite the spark of curiosity in young minds and stimulate their interest in STEM subjects.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved