United States-based energy firm, General Electric (GE), has partnered with XD Electric Group to provide technology and infrastructure solutions that would aid the development of the power sector across the African continent.

GE, in a statement made available to The Guardian, said the new partnership combines GE’s grid automation capabilities with XD Electric’s comprehensive portfolio of primary high-voltage equipment.

However, the partnership is expected to boost GE’s capabilities as a leading provider of transmission and distribution solutions and creates a new global competitor to provide utilities and energy-intensive industries with high-voltage solutions.

Noting that the impact of the partnership on Nigeria’s power sector is huge, it stated that it would also offer end-to-end transmission and distribution solutions to meet growing demand for electricity in the emerging economies where demographic and urbanization trends are creating a need to build out the current grid infrastructure.

“It will enhance the operations of the soon-to-be privatized distribution companies as power is rapidly evacuated and transported from the recently commissioned NIPP Power stations. “Interestingly, majority of the NIPP power stations are already using GE manufactured Generator Step-up Transformers, with provision for GE’s Monitoring and Diagnostics Smart Grid Solutions.

“The problems of Transmission and Distribution which has been the bane of Power supply in Nigeria may soon become a thing of the past, going by the governments’ plan to explore building a 765 KV super grid. “The GE and XD Electric partnership means that potentially both companies can leverage on their strengths and partner with relevant stakeholders to participate in this super grid project.

“The combination of GE’s and XD’s experience in high voltage Solutions will mean the possibility of building a transmission supergrid across long distances, up to 1000 km, with minimal losses. With GE’s Intelligent Solutions, also, the challenges of “System Collapse” and capacity isolation currently being experienced in the country will be dealt with easily,” it stated.

Commnetng on the development, the General Manager for GE’s Digital Energy business across Europe Middle East and Africa, Luis Perez said: “In Africa, we’re focused on grid expansion projects and greenfield network interconnections as we continue to create a modern power grid that is stable, resilient and energy efficient.”

He added that the high voltage capabilities, which XD brings to the table would help GE’s utility customers to transmit power with minimal losses over long distances and rough terrains.

The new partnership has three major components including: To combine GE’s grid automation and service capabilities with XD Electric’s comprehensive portfolio of primary power equipment; to offer customers an array of integrated transmission; and distribution solutions.

Beisdes, a joint venture (JV) with XD Electric would offer customers in China GE’s localized grid automation solutions, while GE’s gets 15 per cent equity stake in XD Electric and a seat on XD’s Board of Directors.

Source: The Guardian - Nigeria