ELECTRICAL engineering

The National Electricity Regulator is supervising all electricity providers' progress towards this target. A section of the population is benefitting from the government's reduced electricity tariff for the poor; introduced in November 200I, thereby assisting in achieving the national energy efficiency targets.

BIGEN AFRICA is a leading multi-disciplinary group that provides engineering, management consulting and project finance solutions to a wide range of public and private sector clients. The company has built up extensive experience and expertise in bulk electrical services and electrical distribution infrastructure.

In addition to the design, documentation, administration and commissioning of electrical bulk distribution and infrastructure systems, we specialise in the following:

• Strategic and master planning of electrical bulk consumption;
• Requirements and infrastructure;
• Electrical load studies;
• Energy efficiency studies;
• Feasibility studies for new infrastructure development;
• Technical inputs for bulk services and distribution;
• Layout planning;
• Total cost analyses of proposals, including capital cost;
• Operation and maintenance cost, and the cost impact on users;
• Project financing and cost recovery;
• Electrical system protection;
• Electrical network asset management;
• Policy issues and institution support.

Our Value-Add Proposition

Our integrity commitment, desire to serve, passion for excellence and empowerment, innovative and creative working environment provides our specialist, multidisciplinary teams with a solid foundation to implement successful projects for clients.

Our Track Record

BIGEN AFRICA has been involved in an extensive range of electrical infrastructure projects. We have successfully completed the planning, design, project management and construction supervision of large-scale projects for a number of clients. Our services include development planning and design, costing, process implementation to direct and manage existing infrastructure growth, key intervention, process identification and implementation to guide public funding and preparation of proposals for upgrading and developing electrical infrastructure.

Vlakfontein Electrification and Street Lighting
Client: City Power. Turn-key project that encompassed all aspects of design, project management and construction for the electrification of 4 000 household stands and the provision of street lighting for the entire township located in the western suburbs of Johannesburg. This included the design of bulk electrical supply to the township, MV line routing within the township and electrical power reticulation design to each household. Careful design considerations allowed for the simultaneous implementation of street lighting in the area. The beneficiaries are from the poorer spectrum of the South African community and the project supported government’s reconstruction and development vision.

Roodeplaat Water Supply Scheme
The project entailed a comprehensive, detailed design of the electrical requirements for the Temba Roodeplaat Water Supply Scheme to increase the available maximum energy supply capacity to the Roodeplaat Water Treatment Works from an existing 3.2MVA to 8.2MVA. This was done by extending the existing Zeekoegat sub-station and providing new sub-stations at the newly constructed high-lift pumpstation and raw water treatment works. The design provided for 11kV bulk supply from the Pumulani 88/11kV substation to the respective plants and incorporated the various protection schemes and devices.

Nonyane Sub-station
The existing Nonyane sub-station was overloaded and regular outages occurred, especially during winter. A new 33/11kV sub-station, consisting of two 10MVA transformers, was planned and constructed. The immediate problem was resolved by installing a temporary 33/11kV, 5MVA transformer in the existing sub-station while completing the new sub-station.

Winterveldt to Vuka 33kV line
This project involved the design, procurement, construction and project management of approximately 6.1km of single-circuit 33kV “Kingbird” line teeing off from the Winterveldt, Mabopane East line to Vuka sub-station. The line supplies approximately 50MVA to the Winterveldt area and provided 50 000 new households with electricity.

Master Plan Development
The purpose of the master plan is to provide a single document, highlighting the various electricity infrastructure development needs. It identifies the varied programmes and project timeframes of stakeholders, and highlights the measurable deliverables on short-term, mid-term and long-term bases.

Asset Management
In the current economic climate, capital to install new infrastructure is becoming scarce. The Bigen Electrical Asset Management process is tailored to ensure that clients, in particular local authorities, derive the maximum benefit from their assets.

Design and Construction Projects

BIGEN AFRICA provides design and construction supervision directly or with joint-venture partners. The turnkey design and construction methodology was refined by BIGEN AFRICA in 2002. This included setting up a legal framework and contractual basis for the contracts as well as the development of reporting structures and standardised documentation and procedures. Since the inception of the turnkey design and construct programme in 2002, BIGEN AFRICA has refined the turnkey contract structure to suit various local government structures and varying types of work.

Contact PERSONS

Johan Pieters (PR Eng) CEM
CEA : Associate Director
Tel: +27 (0)51 430 1423
Fax: +27 (0)51 447 0352
Email: johan.pieters@bigenafrica.com

Piet Steyn
Associate Director : Technologist
Tel: +27 (0) 51 – 430 1423
Fax: +27 (0) 51 – 447 0352
Email: piet.steyn@bigenafrica.com