Sparks Electrical News September 2016

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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KEY MILESTONES FOR MASSIVE KUSILE AUTOMATION PROJECT

transfer of knowledge in order to build local capacity so that we can support Kusile Power Station after the completion of the project.” The Kusile power plant belongs to a new gen- eration of high-pressure, high-temperature ther- mal power installations known as ‘supercritical’ plants, which are more efficient than conven- tional coal-fired plants, and have lower emissions and fuel costs. Kusile will be the first plant in Africa to use wet flue gas desulphurisation technology in all boilers. Eskom generates more than 90% of its electricity from coal-fired stations, and state-of-the-art clean coal technology will be installed at Kusile to help ensure a long term, reliable source of baseload electricity for the region. ABB automation and software increases the effectiveness of plant processes by improving operational awareness, response times with de- cision making, resulting in better availability and efficiency.

for all six of the station’s 800 MW generating units, which will supply power to the entire country when the plant is completely operational by the last quar- ter of 2022. The solution also includes unit and balance-of-plant automation, field instrumentation, cabling, boiler protection and plant simulator, engi- neering, installation, commissioning, optimisation and training. “The ABB Kusile team comprises about 40% local engineers,” says Leon Viljoen, country managing director, South Africa. “With this, we are dedicated to ensuring that there is adequate

ABB’s biggest automation order at Kusile ther- mal power plant in South Africa has achieved its first important success. Comprising six units of 800 MW each, Eskom’s Kusile Power Station will be the world’s fourth-largest coal-fired power sta- tion and will help to boost South Africa’s capacity to support the country’s economy. ABB is on schedule to complete automation for Generating Unit 1 of the power station with suc- cessful factory acceptance tests (FATs) of the bal- ance-of-plant and the unit performed late last year. “With record timing as a key deliverable of such

an intrinsically complex project, there is excellent cooperation between the Eskom and ABB teams with very strict monitoring on each element of the project to ensure that deadlines are adhered to, “ says Kevin Kosisko, ABB’s power generation busi- ness managing director. “We are extremely pleased that our technology will be the keystone to bring reliable power supply to consumers and a step ahead in the development of South Africa’s power infrastructure.” As part of the order, ABB is supplying the con- trol system, software and instrumentation solution

Enquiries: +27 10 202 5090

New general manager for business unit S y Gourrah, a well- respected electrical engineer who has

held key posts at Buffalo City Municipality (East London) and, as a con- sulting engineer, has been involved in a range of elec- trical infrastructure pro- jects in various parts of the country, has been appointed general manager of ACTOM Power Systems, the ACTOM group’s sub- station project manage- ment business unit.

Sy Gourrah, general manager of ACTOM Power Systems.

Gourrah, a Bachelor of Electrical & Electronics Engineering graduate from Mangalore University in India, took up the position on June 1. She has been a contracts manager at the business unit for the past year. She was born in India and grew up and attended school in Zambia and South Africa and has spent her entire working career in South Africa since graduating from Mangalore University in 1995. Gourrah obtained a Master of Business Admin- istration (MBA) earlier this year. She is a Fellow and council member of the SA Institute of Electri- cal Engineers (SAIEE) and is an active volunteer on the Engineering Council of SA (ECSA). She was president of the Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU) from 2008 to 2010. She is also an advisor to deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, on the Eskom turnaround strategy. She was employed at Buffalo City Municipal- ity from 2001 to 2011, initially holding the post of deputy city electrical engineer and later appointed general manager, electrical and mechanical ser- vices. She has also worked for several firms of consulting electrical engineers and associated companies in various capacities, including that of deputy CEO of an electrical infrastructure con- struction company. Sybrand Nel, divisional CEO of ACTOM’s engi- neering projects and contracts division, says, the company welcomes Gourrah as general manager of ACTOM Power Systems to head up this key business unit saying her appointment is “well- deserved” as is her “impressive track record and proven expertise and experience in this field”.

Enquiries: +27 11 430-8700

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2016