Electrical equipment supplier Trafo Power Solutions is advancing its African operations by formalising agreements for in-country support – an initiative that aligns with its strategy to ensure seamless service delivery and skills development across key regions.

This approach is central to addressing Africa’s energy infrastructure challenges while driving sustainable growth, MD David Claassen tells Mining Weekly.

Trafo Power Solutions custom designs its dry-type transformers to withstand demanding conditions, such as extreme temperatures and fluctuating power availability, with the flexibility to meet specific project requirements.

“Our transformers are standard in concept, but highly customised in execution,” he says.

For example, in high-temperature environments, Trafo Power Solutions uses Class-H insulation systems, exceeding the standard Class-F, with enhanced durability, while aligning with clients’ growing focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance.

In addition, the company’s technical expertise ensures that every transformer is customised to the electrical network and environmental conditions of the application.

By partnering with local service providers, Trafo Power Solutions is building capacity near client operations, offering immediate support and fostering enterprise development.

“We’re engaging service providers in the countries where we operate, equipping them with training on our solutions to act as the first line of support, ensuring quicker response times,” says Claassen.

The company’s strategy, which has been gaining significant traction over the past 18 months, addresses the logistical and infrastructural challenges of operating in remote African regions, contributing to local business growth and streamlining operational support.

Given the unique demands across Africa, its expertise in modular substation solutions plays a vital role, Claassen says, adding that modular systems enhance power delivery efficiency and reliability, especially in remote areas.

Dry-type transformers eliminate risks, such as leaks, associated with traditional oil-cooled transformers.

Other advantages include low maintenance requirements, their being environmentally safer and their Class-F1 fire rating, making them self-extinguishing and not emitting any harmful gases in the instance of a fire, he highlights.

Trafo Power Solutions’ modular approach also reduces on-site labour and accelerates project timelines, as pre-assembly and equipment testing are done in controlled environments such as the company’s South African facility.

This ensures higher quality and faster adaptations to design changes, consequently benefiting operations in remote locations with logistical challenges, Claassen says.

Although Trafo Power Solutions has been operational for only eight years, its leadership brings over two decades of experience across sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in a refined business model.

Its client base includes major mining companies and blue-chip corporations, whose stringent quality, safety and ESG standards shape the company’s operational strategies.

This focus has secured repeat business and expanded the company’s reach into sectors such as data centres and power generation.

“Working with large mining companies, and engineering, procurement and construction management firms, has refined our project management capabilities,” says Claassen, noting that this expertise translates across industries to deliver consistent, high-quality solutions.