The Loeriesfontein Wind Farm in South Africa’s Northern Cape has been making use of a mobile transformer to allow for an early connection to the grid for commissioning of the turbines, prior to the energization of the Helios substation, which is the permanent grid connection.
“The mobile transformer will do two things, firstly, it will provide a temporary supply to the project, to mitigate the risk that Eskom transmission is delayed with energization of Helios. Secondly, it will allow for early grid code testing of Loeriesfontein Wind Farm, which will ultimately increase the chances of early operations, ahead of the Commercial Operations Date.We have worked very closely with Eskom to supply and operate the mobile transformer, which is typically used by the Utility to temporarily connect to substations during maintenance or unplanned shutdowns to allow continued use of substations. Mobile transformers are not normally used to connect Wind Farms to the distribution system,” explained Kevin Foster, Country Construction Manager for Mainstream Renewable Power.
The Helios substation energization is on track for August 15, at which point the Loeriesfontein Wind Farm will be able to commence with final grid code testing prior to commercial operations.
CONCO is responsible for the electrical component of the balance of plant works, including the engineering, procurement and construction of the medium voltage collector system, substation, overhead line connection and the temporary transformer.
The Loeriesfontein and Khobab Wind Farms are part of the South African Government’s Round 3 REIPPPP and are managed both in terms of construction and operations by Mainstream Renewable Power South Africa. The Loeriesfontein and Khobab Wind Farms, are expected to be operational by December 2017.