Construction World May 2016

PROJECTS AND CONTRACTS

ENERGY SOLUTIONS IN AFRICA

Global engineering and consulting firm Hatch has a range of innovative technologies in the energy sector, which it is showcasing at various mining, petrochemical and industrial projects in Africa.

These range from thermal power gener- ation (including conventional and advanced technologies) to cogene-

100 MWgas-fired power station project, utilising reciprocating engines. He is also engaged with evaluating different technologies and tenders for a major gold producer in Tanzania. These range from hybrid solar thermal solutions to thermal solutions only for a 30 MW power generation facility. “We have also completed a feasibility study for a client in the municipal wastewater industry for the generation of electricity from methane produced in its anaerobic digesters,” Schutte adds.“We are looking at 1 MW to 1,8 MW of electricity production, also from reciprocating engines.” Schutte is also involved as owner’s engineer on the 2 x 300 MW expansion of the Hwange thermal power station in Zimbabwe for client ZPC. Hatch is assisting the Zimbabwean elec- tricity in tender evaluation and adjudication, as well as detailed design reviews. “If you want to talk power generation and energy projects in general, Africa is definitely the place to be,” Schutte comments. “While we are not aware of too many large-scale power generation facilities being erected, there is a lot of focus on own generation, such as remote mines or any kind of production facility.” As an example of the latter, Schutte points to Hatch’s involve- ment with a boiler and turbine refurbishment

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ration, gasification (coal, biomass and waste), coal-to-liquids and gas quality control. The latter includes flue-gas emission reduction to syngas handling, treatment and carbon management. Cobus Schutte, a project engineer at Hatch’s Johannesburg office, has extensive experience in the petrochemical industry, including his role as lead licensor mechanical engineer for the front-end engineering and design of a coal gasification facility in India. Schutte has continued to play an important role in a long-term contract with Sasol, which originally appointed Hatch as one of two preferred engineering companies for its Fixed Bed Dry Bottom (FBDB™) gasifi- cation technology. “The engineering services that we are providing here on an ongoing basis include materials handling design, machine design and pressure vessel design,” Schutte explains. “Here Hatch is playing a key role in fine-tuning its gasification technology in order to boost its syngas generation and coal-to-liquids business over the next decade.” In the power generation arena, Schutte has been involved with a project inMozambique on a

Cobus Schutte, a project engineer at Hatch’s Johannesburg office.

project for a copper plant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Schutte currently heads up the Custom Machine Design Group for Hatch in the Africa, Europe and Middle East region. “My responsibil- ities range from teammanagement to technical reviews as well as business development with new and existing clients.” He stresses that Hatch is able to bring a full spectrum of solutions to the table. “We have our different business units, all with their own subject matter experts, who can assist with everything from concept designs through to technical evaluations and feasibility studies. “Then we have our project delivery group, with its own highly experienced engineers, who can assist with the execution of the full project lifecycle, from basic engineering to detailed execution, and then also to manage the construction of our clients’ facilities,” Schutte concludes.

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TWO YEAR REFURBISHMENT ALMOST COMPLETE

Eastgate Shopping Centre, one of Johannesburg’s largest super-regional malls, is nearing the completion of its 24-month refurbishment and extension programme with the project being driven by asset manager, Stanlib. The shopping centre will soon be ready to launch as the leading premier lifestyle destination in the East of Johannesburg with 133 000 m² of prime retail space to cater for every kind of shopper. The extensive project has already seen a façade and image trans- formation. Alex Phakathi, Liberty Property Portfolio fund manager for Eastgate Shopping Centre says, “The design approach takes its inspiration >

from Eastgate’s location in a valley with beautiful surrounding views out to the northern and southern hills. Massive windows have been added on the lower and upper level of Woolworths to emphasise the external envi- ronment and achieve more natural light. The refurbished entrances have double volume glass facades with huge overarching roofs to welcome the landscape into the centre and in turn allow the centre to reach out to its physical environment. The relocation of lifts and mall links and the creation of an additional two levels of parking have considerably improved the flow of foot-traffic of the mall. One of the goals of the project is also to improve accessibility for shoppers.” The project has ensured the introduction of fast-fashion powerhouse outlets such as Zara and River Island. 2016 has already seen the further introduction of a diverse selection of premium brand tenants such as the high-end skincare specialist Dermalogica store that opened in February. In addition, a number of new food offerings will be introduced to the centre. The Nü Health Food Café chain of trendy health restaurants has taken Cape Town by storm, and Eastgate shoppers will be able to enjoy the Nü Health offering in April. Nü Health is a complementary match for the health conscious and trendy clientele that frequent Eastgate. Seven Colours due to open in April will add to the centres café offering. Shoppers can also look forward to the re-opening of Bedfordview’s favou- rite, Harpers. Harpers will be located in a new stand-alone store near the new Zara mall link. In early December 2015, Ster-Kinekor unveiled a cinema and entertain- ment complex. The offering boasts luxurious Cine Prestige 3D cinemas and an IMAX® theatre. Phakathi concluded,“We are delighted with the success of the project to date and encouraged by the positive consumer feedback. Currently there are over 280 tenants trading at Eastgate Shopping Centre with the figure due to increase to over 300 by the end of 2016.”

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MAY 2016