GE to Provide Transnet Pipelines with Power Generators

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Jul 13, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- GE South Africa Technologies (Pty) Limited (GESAT) today announced an agreement to provide Transnet Limited with 10 medium speed, diesel-powered generators for Transnet's new multi-product pipeline currently being constructed between Durban and Johannesburg. GESAT is GE Transportation's South African subsidiary in partnership with the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC).
The generators, ranging in electrical power output from 2.8MW to 5MW offer a combined total capacity of approximately 34MW. The GE generators will provide emergency power to the pipeline pump stations and terminals for Transnet's new pipeline that will supply diesel, petrol and jet fuel to South African inland markets.
According to Jaco de Vries, New Multi-Products Pipeline (NMPP) procurement manager, "GESAT played an integral part in preparing for some of the NMPP project's key deliverables with some of the best delivery schedules available on a global level."
"We were able to secure this contract by committing to meet the project's key challenges: tight delivery deadlines, technical performance, reliability, fuel efficiency and cost constraints," said Gavin Mandy, GE Transportation Stationary Power sales manager for Sub Saharan Africa.
The generator's GE diesel engine is based on the fuel-efficient engines used in GE's locomotives and feature reduced service intervals and ease of maintenance.
"Over the past 18 months, GE Transportation in Southern Africa has delivered over 80MW of medium speed generator power for industrial applications," said Thami Mbele, President of GE South Africa. "This proven experience and expertise in operating large industrial loads is a core capability of our company and in partnering with Transnet, GE is working to ensure that fuel needs will be met for years to come."
Factory testing of the generators will begin this month, while the first of the generators are scheduled to arrive in September 2010.
About Transnet Pipelines
Transnet Pipelines (TPL) is an operating division of Transnet Limited and is the principal operator of South Africa's fuel pipeline system that comprises over 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles) of pipelines. TPL's clients are the major oil companies operating in South Africa. The business handles an annual average throughput of some 16 billion liters of liquid fuel and more than 450 million cubic meters of gases. The liquid products include crude oil, diesel, leaded and unleaded petrol, aviation turbine fuels and natural gas (methane rich gas).
GE Transportation in South Africa
GE Transportation has a long and successful history of operations and activities throughout Africa. As a global technology, GE Transportation is committed to help delivering world-class transportation, infrastructure development, and technology solutions -- a key prerequisite for sustainable economic growth. In December 2009, GE South African Technologies (GESAT) signed a landmark contract with Transnet Limited to supply Transnet Freight Rail with 100 locomotives. In 2010, for the second time in three years, GESAT was honored at the Africa Rail Awards as the "Best Technology Provider."
About GE Transportation
Established more than 100 years ago, GE Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company /quotes/comstock/13*!ge/quotes/nls/ge (GE 15.25, +0.04, +0.26%) , is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling, mining and wind industries. GE provides freight and passenger locomotives, railway signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions, marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, high-quality replacement parts and value added services. GE Transportation is headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs approximately 8,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit www.getransportation.com.
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