| Notes |
Transmission
Network Description:
Due to the geographical position of the country LEC interconnections are confined to South African network only. The 132kV double circuit LEC transmission system is connected to the 72 MW Muela Hydropower Plant in the north and Eskom ? Tweespruit in the west. Muela and Eskom are the only major generation resources supplying bulk power into LEC network. LEC in turn transmits, distributes and supplies power to its customers within a modest national infrastructure. The main grid voltage levels are 132, 88, 66 and 33kV covering line lengths of one thousand and fifty kilometres linking thirty-eight substations countrywide.
Network Operations:
The National Control Centre is situated in Maseru and connected to a very large part of the network. The efficient and effective system operations are enhanced by the Energy Management System (SPIDER) equipped with computer-based on-line Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition, Automatic Generation Control and Short-Term Load Forecast model. The enabling communication systems are Power Line Carrier, two-way radio system UHF/VHF, national landline telecommunication and mobile phone systems.
Energy Trading:
Currently LEC has bilateral bulk Power Purchase Agreements with Muela and Eskom. LEC became a full Operating Member of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) in April 1999. This opened an opportunity for participation in the regional electricity competitive environment on equal trading partnership conducted under the SAPP principles.
[ Retrieved on 18 APR 2008 - http://www.lec.co.ls/business/transmission/index.php ] |