MechChem Africa July-August 2025

⎪ PowerGen,PetroChem and Sustainable energy management ⎪

service models helping rail clients achieve up to 30% reductions in downtime. This, in turn, results in significant savings that lower the total cost of ownership while improving overall operational efficiency. One of ACTOM’s key advantages is its local reach. With service hubs and factories across the country, the company can respond quickly to client needs, often dispatching technical support teams in less than two hours. “Our nationwide footprint means we’re not flying in support from elsewhere,” says Mthembu. “We’re embedded in the areas we serve, and that’s essential when it comes to reducing downtime on critical infrastructure.” The sector still faces key risks “There’s no doubt that security and

tion, support and long-term maintenance to create a foundation for future innovation. “This isn’t just about this one project. It’s about laying the groundwork for future self-reliance,” says Mbenge. “We’re growing the skills base, hiring more talent and show ing that South Africa can lead in delivering world-class clean energy solutions.” Future-focused and scalable While initially developed for solar farms, the inverter-integrated transformer is equally suited to broader energy applications such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), where it can help stabilise grids, support off grid setups, and address generation short falls during peak demand or load shedding. “This technology offers a scalable path way to expand Africa’s renewable energy capacity while reducing our carbon foot print,” Mbenge concludes. “It’s a practical solution with the potential to reshape how we power the continent.” www.actom.co.za Looking ahead ACTOM will offer a closer look at its capabili ties through an interactive digital showcase over the two-day event. Visitors will be able to explore case studies and speak directly with engineers working across signalling, traction motor manufacturing, and energy resilience. “At Africa Rail 2025, we showcased how local capacity can contribute meaningfully to national infrastructure goals,” says Mthembu. “It’s about keeping the system moving – today and into the future,” he concludes. www.actom.co.za consistent investment, rail can once again become the backbone of affordable, sustain able transport in South Africa.”

sustained funding are major challenges,” Mthembu says. “We’ve seen too many in stances where progress is rolled back by vandalism or delays in key upgrades. There’s a real need for coordinated investment – not just in equipment, but in protecting what’s already there.” She adds that while companies like ACTOM are ready and able to support rail revitalisation through local manufacturing and technical expertise, lasting improvements will require long-term commitment from all stakeholders. “Government, operators and private sec tor partners must work together to create a stable environment for rail to thrive. If we can secure the infrastructure and maintain

ACTOM unveils localised inverter-integrated transformer solution ACTOM, South Africa’s largest manufacturer, repairer and distributor of electro-mechanical equipment, debuted a breakthrough in re newable energy integration at Enlit Africa 2025, with its locally manufactured inverter integrated transformer. Supporting Solar’s rapid rise With solar PV now the dominant focus of public and private energy investment across the continent, this launch couldn’t come at a better time. The integrated solution directly supports the development of solar farms, particularly by Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors who benefit from pre-tested, factory-assembled systems that minimise on-site challenges and acceler ate project commissioning.

Developed in strategic collaboration with global inverter leader, Sungrow, the solution is a fully integrated, factory-tested solution designed to meet the growing demand for utility-scale solar PV projects. It combines a transformer, an inverter, a Ring Main Unit (RMU), and an LV combiner box into a single, skid-based, plug-and-play system. This not only reduces on-site complexity but also sig nificantly cuts installation time, project risk and lifecycle costs. “This is more than a product launch, it’s a step-change in how we localise global in novation to empower Africa’s energy future,” says Lee Mbenge, Divisional CEO of ACTOM Distribution Transformers. “By bringing together international technology with local manufacturing, we are accelerating clean energy adoption while building South African skills and industrial capacity.” A proudly South African solution ACTOM’s partnership with Sungrow brings world-class inverter technology, comple mented by locally designed and assembled components. This integrated approach leverages ACTOM’s in-house manufacturing expertise, ensuring seamless production, rigorous quality standards and dedicated after-sales support tailored to African market needs. “ACTOM’s strength lies in our end-to end local capabilities,” says Mbenge. “Apart from the inverter, every element is pro duced within our business units, allowing us to deliver efficient, high-quality solutions that are suited to the African context.”

“By delivering a fully assembled and facto ry-tested system, we eliminate the complex ity of on-site integration,” Mbenge explains. “For EPCs, that means faster commissioning, improved quality control and fewer delays.”

Innovation that builds local capacity

The partnership with Sungrow brings global technological expertise into the country while facilitating local skills development and job creation. ACTOM’s team is actively building technical capacity around installa

ACTOM’s fully integrated, factory-tested inverter-integrated transformer solution is designed to meet the growing demand for utility-scale solar PV projects. It combines a transformer, an inverter, a Ring Main Unit (RMU), and an LV combiner box into a single, skid-based, plug-and-play system.

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