Coega Steels has taken another step towards energy self-sufficiency with the arrival of two new power transformers at its Gqeberha mini-mill.
Manufactured in China, the custom-built transformers arrived in the city in July, with the first unit going into operation in September.
The investment comes just months after Coega Steels completed what it described as the largest commercial solar project in the Eastern Cape.
The solar installation features 11,484 panels capable of generating up to 7MW of electricity, helping the steelmaker offset some of the energy demands of its operations.
Coega Steels recycles scrap metal into what is commonly referred to as “green steel”, as its production process is considered more environmentally friendly than traditional coal-fired steelmaking.
The new transformers were designed specifically for the company after an extensive process that included identifying manufacturers, approving prototype designs and overseeing production and delivery.
According to the company, manufacturing a transformer takes between four and five months, while shipping to the Eastern Cape takes about 45 days. The full process can take up to nine months.
The investment also follows an unexpected transformer failure at the plant in August 2025, which put the jobs of about 600 employees at risk.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality responded by leasing Coega Steels a spare transformer for 12 months, giving the company time to source a permanent replacement.
The two new transformers arrived in separate shipments about four weeks apart. Once the second unit is operational, the company will have additional capacity to reduce the risk of another major disruption.
Installation, testing and energising of the first transformer began in August and took approximately 15 days.
The second transformer is expected to be operational towards the end of the first quarter of 2027. The two units will then operate concurrently, providing redundancy and an additional layer of protection for the plant and its workforce.
Coega Steels also expressed its gratitude to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for providing the temporary transformer that helped keep the plant operating while the permanent replacements were being secured.
Main Image: Supplied
