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.
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