What Trans-Africa Projects does

Trans-Africa Projects (TAP) is a specialist power generation and high voltage engineering consulting firm established in 1995 as a joint venture between Fluor (a global EPC firm) and Eskom (South Africa's state-owned electricity utility). Headquartered at Eskom Megawatt Park in Johannesburg with regional offices in Durban, Cape Town, and Maputo, the firm provides engineering planning, design, construction management, commissioning, investigations, and training services for power infrastructure projects ranging from 11 kV distribution to 765 kV transmission voltages. Its client base spans state-owned and private utilities, municipalities, independent power producers, mining companies, and large industrial users across 27 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, Europe, and the Middle East, with named engagements for Botswana Power Corporation, Cahora Bassa, Motraco, Scatec Solar, Edm (EEC Eswatini), Central Electricity Board Mauritius, and mining operators including Kenmare, Lucara Diamond, and Khoemacau Copper Mining.

The company's technical capabilities center on overhead power line design using PLS-CADD with aerial LIDAR and conventional survey data, substation design for AIS and GIS technologies across all voltage levels, and network planning studies leveraging Digsilent PowerFactory, PSS/E, and ReticMaster. Its stated core differentiator is world leadership in design optimization through probabilistic techniques. TAP leverages intellectual property and standards from both founding partners, holds a technology-sharing agreement with State Grid Corporation of China, and operates training programs (including a dedicated online training portal at training.taprojects.co.za) covering PLS-CADD, substation engineering, and overhead line topics with CPD accreditation.

Commercially, TAP operates on a professional services revenue model with project-based consulting and EPCM fees, supplemented by training course fees priced at ZAR 22,550–35,200 per delegate. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is enterprise direct sales targeting power utilities and large power users, with strong reliance on repeat engagements from anchor clients including Eskom and Fluor (which are simultaneously co-owners and customers). The firm maintains ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 certifications from a UKAS-accredited body, BBBEE Level 3 status, and supported 506 learners through training and bursary programs in FY2022/23.

Name

Trans-Africa Projects

Legal name

Trans-Africa Projects

Website

https://taprojects.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Trans-Africa Projects is a South African specialist engineering consulting firm, established in 1995 as a joint venture between Fluor and Eskom, providing EPCM, design, and project management services for high voltage power infrastructure (11 kV to 765 kV) to utilities, IPPs, and mining clients across 27 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

High Voltage Power Engineering Consulting

NAICS

Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130), Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control (221121), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Electric Services (4911), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Transmission line EPC & construction (overhead) (EUADAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Substation EPC & construction (AIS/GIS, greenfield/brownfield) (EUADAKAC), Construction Management & General Contracting (EPCM, Scheduling, QA/QC, HSE) (EUAMAFAJ), HVDC Converter Stations & HVDC Transmission EPC (EUAEABAD)

Keywords

• Power generation consulting
• High voltage engineering
• Overhead power line design
• Substation engineering design
• EPCM services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consulting Services: Provide engineering consulting solutions including power system consulting, engineering design for power lines and substations (primary and control plant), project management, construction supervision, and commissioning services. Revenue generated through professional service fees for consulting engagements.
2. EPCM Services: Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management services for power generation infrastructure projects. Revenue earned through project-based contracts for managing and supervising construction of power lines and substations.
3. Training Services: Classroom, practical and online academic training programs in engineering discipline and power infrastructure development skills. Revenue generated through course fees (R22,550 - R35,200 per course) and training program enrollments.
4. Skills Development and Learnership Programs: Work-based learnership programs leading to NQF qualifications, Engineers-in-Training internships, bursary schemes, and in-service training. Programs support National Skills Development Plan addressing engineering skills shortages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Trans-Africa Projects is a specialist engineering consultancy providing power system consulting and EPCM services for high voltage power lines and substations from 11 kV to 765 kV. Its offerings span engineering planning, feasibility studies, network planning, overhead power line and substation design (AIS and GIS), construction management, plant commissioning, engineering investigations/audits, and CPD-accredited training programs for utilities, municipalities, independent power producers, and mining clients across 27 countries.

Product overview

Trans-Africa Projects (TAP) is a specialist power generation and high voltage services consulting company that offers a comprehensive suite of engineering services rather than a single unified product or platform. The service portfolio spans Engineering Planning (network planning, feasibility studies, environmental studies), Engineering Design (power line design, substation design with AIS/GIS, transmission lines, electrification), Construction Management, Plant Commissioning (11kV to 765kV substations), Engineering Investigations (fault investigations, audits), and Training programs. TAP leverages intellectual property from founding partners Eskom and Fluor, and serves clients globally across 27 countries with projects ranging from 11 kV distribution to 765 kV transmission voltages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Engineering Planning Network planning, master planning, infrastructure economic planning, surveying, feasibility studies, earthing studies, electromagnetic field studies, environmental studies, and geo-technical studies for power distribution systems, executed using simulation software such as Digsilent PowerFactory, PSS/E, and ReticMaster.
• Engineering Design Power generation electrical balance of plant design covering consulting, control systems integration, SCADA implementation, structure and foundation designs, substation designs (AIS and GIS), transmission line design, and township/rural electrification planning for utilities, municipalities, and IPPs.
• Construction Management Full lifecycle project management services for construction projects including timelines, budgets, resource management, on-site supervision, quality management, and environmental health and safety monitoring.
• Plant Commissioning Expert commissioning services for 11 kV to 765 kV substations, including primary plant conceptualisation, preliminary and detailed design, specialist supervision, and bulk material handling systems such as conveyor systems and storage facilities.
• Engineering Investigations System and protection fault investigations, line and tower failure investigations, and power line and substation audits for designing, optimising, and maintaining power generation facilities, including transmission, distribution, and electrification assessments.
• Training Classroom, practical, and online academic training programs in engineering disciplines and power infrastructure development. Offerings include Overhead Lines planning/design/construction courses, Substation Engineering courses, PLS CADD/Tower/Pole training, and Overhead Line Maintenance courses, awarded with SAIEE CPD points and NQF-relevant learnership accreditation.
• Feasibility Studies Network planning and studies for utilities, municipalities, and industrial clients, including load forecasting, distribution network simulation, load flow and fault level studies, dynamic and transient stability analyses, grid compliance evaluations, HVDC/HVAC studies, and reactive compensation assessments.
• Power Line Design Design of overhead power lines from 11 kV to 765 kV for new-build and refurbishment projects, including route selection, conductor optimisation, structure and foundation selection (poles in wood, concrete, steel, RFP, and steel lattice towers), geotechnical investigations, and optical fibre designs.
• Substation Design Substation design solutions for all voltage levels covering primary and secondary engineering disciplines: site selection, civil, structural and electrical works specifications, construction drawings, bills of materials, quality control, factory acceptance test witnessing, quantity surveying, and commissioning supervision for GIS and AIS technologies.
• Renewable Energy Integration Integration of renewable energy facilities into national grids, including route selection, power integration system studies, self-build projects, grid compliance studies, and EPC tender package compilation, delivered as engineering, project management, and construction supervision services.
• Power Line and Substation Audits Integrity inspections and audits for 11 kV to 765 kV power lines and all support structures (steel, concrete, wood), including aerial and ground level inspections, substation audits with equipment testing, SCADA testing, protection settings review, and audit reports with maintenance recommendations.
• Project Management and Site Resources Construction management services including contract management, cost control, quality control, risk control, pre-construction planning, tender documents, execution, construction monitoring, factory acceptance witnessing, installation and commissioning, with site representation during construction phases.
• Electrification Design Electrification program design for utilities covering predetermined equipment sets or generic/functional design with detailed equipment specifications for tender purposes, including marketing and data collection, network design, engineering survey, project management, and construction supervision for urban and rural electrification programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 506 learners supported through training programs and bursaries in 2022/23 financial year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• EskomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Eskom is South Africa's state-owned electricity utility. Trans-Africa Projects was established in 1995 as a joint venture between Fluor and Eskom. As a subsidiary of Eskom, TAP has access to all of Eskom's intellectual property, standards, guidelines, and technical resources. This partnership provides fundamental competitive advantages in executing power infrastructure projects.
• FluorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Fluor is a global engineering, procurement, and construction company. Trans-Africa Projects was established in 1995 as a joint venture between Fluor and Eskom. The partnership provides access to Fluor intellectual property and globally competitive engineering, construction, site supervision, and project management expertise.
• State Grid Corporation of ChinacoreTechnology or IntegrationTrans-Africa Projects has a technology-sharing agreement with State Grid Corporation of China, one of the world's largest utilities. This partnership provides access to a worldwide network of specialists and places TAP at the forefront of high voltage engineering technology.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm with a power and transmission practice spanning planning, design and program management. Comparable because it offers overlapping T&D engineering services to utilities and IPPs, with broader portfolio reach than TAP.
• Royal HaskoningDHV: International engineering consultancy with power transmission, substation design and energy transition advisory services. Comparable as a peer consultancy competing for utility planning, design and EPCM scopes in emerging markets.
• Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina): Chinese state-owned EPC conglomerate executing transmission, substation and HVDC projects across Africa through State Grid and Belt and Road financing. Comparable as both a competitor and partner channel for Chinese-financed T&D work in TAP's primary markets.
• Black & Veatch: Large US-headquartered engineering, procurement and construction firm specializing in power generation, transmission and distribution. Comparable because it competes for utility grid expansion and substation projects in Africa and emerging markets, overlapping TAP's core offering.
• Worley: Global engineering and EPC services firm with a substantial power and transmission practice serving utilities and renewable developers worldwide. Comparable as a peer EPCM provider competing for similar utility and IPP mandates, though at significantly larger scale.
• Tractebel (ENGIE Consulting): Engineering consultancy owned by ENGIE delivering power system studies, grid planning, and HV substation and line design globally. Comparable for competing network-planning and grid-compliance studies for utilities and renewable developers.

Direct peers

• Mott MacDonald: Global engineering consultancy with deep power systems, transmission line design and substation engineering practices serving utilities and developers. Highly comparable as a specialist consultancy competing for the same high-voltage engineering scopes TAP offers.
• Hatch: Engineering consultancy with strong mining and power practices designing substations and transmission lines for mining and utility clients in Africa. Directly comparable for mine electrification projects similar to Kenmare Moma, Lucara, and Khoemacau engagements.

Regional players

• COBRA (Grupo Cobra / VINCI): Spanish-headquartered EPC contractor with a strong overhead transmission line and substation EPC track record in Latin America and Africa. Comparable for turnkey HV transmission builds where TAP operates primarily as designer/EPCM rather than constructor.

Emerging players

• Engage Consulting (formerly Eskom Enterprises consulting arms): South African-based specialist power engineering consultancies spun out of or affiliated with utilities, competing for the same public-sector T&D scopes. Comparable niche competitor addressing the same domestic utility client base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trans-africaprojects
• Xx.com/TransAfrica
• Facebookfacebook.com/Trans-Africa-Projects-1112028375599335

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trans-Africa Projects