Current Projects
In November and December 2007, a consortium comprising Hitachi Power Europe GmbH, Germany, and Hitachi Power Africa (Pty) Ltd. was awarded two contracts from South Africa's electricity utility Eskom to design, manufacture, supply, erect and commission 6 x 800 MW Utility Steam Generators for each of the Medupi and Kusile Power Stations in Lephalale, Limpopo Province and Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province respectively.
The scope of work includes engineering, supply, manufacturing, construction and commissioning of utility steam generators as well as related components such as regenerative steam airheaters, coal mills and feeders, sootblowers, fans, deashers, high pressure and low pressure pipework.
Site establishment at Medupi commenced towards the end of 2008. Manufacturing of the boilers will start in 2009. Upon commissioning, between 2012 and 2015, the steam generators will be the most modern in South Africa with the efficiency being much higher than that of Eskom's existing power fleet.
Hitachi Power Africa is procuring the establishment and/or upgrade of infrastructure in the form of eight manufacturing workshops to produce elements of the project such as duct work and coal bunkers, pressure parts, structural steel and expansion joints. Central to these is the new 11,000 m² Boiler Pressure Part Manufacturing workshop in Nigel, Gauteng Province.
These investments are part of a concerted effort by Hitachi Power Africa to boost the local economy and to contribute to the creation of a competitive and world-class boiler manufacturing capability and capacity in South Africa. As a result, 61% of the content will be sourced locally and critical know-how and skills will be transferred to local engineers. In addition, 1400 artisans, 60 engineers, 36 operators and 24 maintenance workers are being trained in highly technical skills that will benefit job creation and ensure the sustainability of the industry into the future.