State-owned Eskom has energised and commissioned the first of two 500 MVA power transformers at the newly built Ngwedi substation, in Rustenburg.

The transformer marks a significant step towards the completion of the Medupi Power Station Integration Project and will provide improved network flexibility and reliability in the greater Rustenburg area – home to numerous platinum mining houses. 
 
The Medupi integration project is one of the large-scale power delivery projects aimed at supporting the grid system between Limpopo and North West.

Phase 2 of the Medupi integration comprises the construction of two substations, Ngwedi, in North West and Borutho, in Limpopo, as well as the construction of transmission lines from Medupi power station to both substations, which will interlink with the rest of the grid, consisting of 732 km of high-voltage transmission lines and an additional 2 000 MVA of transformation capacity.
 
Eskom Power Delivery Projects GM Naresh Hari says the substation is required to provide for the expected load growth as a result of the developments in platinum mining operations taking place around the Rustenburg area which, at present, cannot be supplied by the existing transmission and distribution networks.

“On completion, this substation will strengthen and provide capacity to the transmission and distribution networks in the area.”

Eskom began construction activities at the R500-million substation project in July 2014.  Construction is still ongoing, with the second transformer expected to be energised in February 2017.

The works entail the construction of a main transmission substation and associate transmission power lines, including the control building, telecommunications and road infrastructure.

The substation will be a 400/132 kV step-down substation that will transform the 400 kV to 132 kV and link the Ngwedi substation to the existing 132 kV distribution network in the area.
 
The project has already created over 300 employment opportunities, with 100 persons from local communities employed.

The project has also sourced various goods and services from local businesses and is also involved in a number of corporate social investment initiatives in the area.