Pictured: (Back from L-R – Mark Wilson & Andries Tshabalala (ACTOM). Front: Eric Boulot (ALSTOM) and Jack Rowan (ACTOM)

Alstom Grid, world-leading provider of engineered solutions and products for smart and conventional power grids, and ACTOM, the largest electrical engineering group in Southern Africa, have signed a three-year transmission technologies co-operation agreement in Johannesburg.

The agreement gives ACTOM exclusive representation rights to promote, sell and support Alstom Grid’s products in South Africa and surrounding countries[1]. It also encompasses a licensing agreement for ACTOM to manufacture specific Alstom Grid products, sub-assembly and components, including high voltage isolators (above 132 kV) and advanced protection systems.

This agreement renews an existing partnership in place for nearly half a century, and formalises an interim agreement[2] between the two parties that has been in effect since 2010. It covers four of ACTOM’s businesses: ACTOM High Voltage Equipment, ACTOM Power Transformers, ACTOM Protection & Control and ACTOM Power Systems.

“This agreement represents the continuation of a longstanding mutually beneficial co-operative association between the two groups,” Jack Rowan from ACTOM commented.  ACTOM’s focus has always been on maximising local content and we manufacture many products under licence to our international partners wherever this proves practicable, in addition to developing and manufacturing products of our own.”

Eric Boulot, Alstom Grid Commercial Vice President for Southern Europe & Africa said “Alstom and ACTOM are partners in a number of activities, such as Signalling, Boiler Service and Metro Coaches, and this agreement will reinforce the partnership and cooperation between the two groups.  We share a clear ambition to support our customers in today’s challenges, implementing Smart Grid solutions to manage newly installed Renewable Power Generation and create a more efficient transmission grid.”