News

News

28 January 2008

Genrec signs Medupi contract

Genrec Engineering has signed a contract with Murray & Roberts MEI to fabricate structural steel for the Medupi Power Station. This entails the supply of 105 000 tons of fabricated steel for the six boiler structures, coal and ash conveyors and auxiliary bay structures.

Fabrication is due to commence in October 2008 with the last steel being delivered to site in October 2012. This equates to an average fabrication throughput of 2 200 tons per month, peaking at approx 2 500 tons per month dedicated to the Medupi project. Together with Genrec’s traditional workload, this will necessitate doubling Genrec’s normal capacity within two years.

The first project challenge will be fabrication of the boiler super structures, these being on the critical path of the project. The columns are up to 22m long and 2,5m wide. They are stiffened internally by means of baffle plates and must be machined, trial assembled, match marked and then shipped to site for final assembly and erection. Genrec’s heavy fabrication facility is ideal for the manufacture of these boxes. Together with the cranage, space and machine shop capacity and capabilities, there are very few workshops in South Africa that can successfully take on this task.

Another feature / challenge of the project will be the supply of high quality structural plate and sections to grade S355 J2 G3, most of which will require special test and normalising. This has necessitated high level discussions and planning with steel manufacturers and merchants.

Hot on the heels of Medupi Power Station, is the Bravo Power Station. This project is currently being negotiated with Hitachi through Genrec’s client MEI. Bravo is expected to be identical to Medupi and will be situated in the Witbank area.

A key factor in Genrec’s increase of capacity are the opportunities around skills, both on the acquisition thereof and in training and development. In terms of the contract, Genrec has agreed to formally train and develop a set amount of welders, boilermakers, detailers, CNC operators, riggers and inspection personnel. Key skilled personnel have been tasked to do the above. These initiatives are already actioned and are in place.

Chris du Randt has been appointed Project Director for the Medupi contract.