Russia's Chelyabinsk Electric Equipment Plant discusses setting up assembly production in South Africa

CHELYABINSK. Jan 22 (Interfax) - Chelyabinsk Electric Equipment Plant LLC (CEEP), a major manufacturer of electrical switchgear equipment in the Urals, is discussing the possibility of setting up assembly production in South Africa, the company said on its website.

"From January 15 to 17, a delegation from CEEP led by Director Alexei Kamynin visited South Africa, during which they visited the CityPower substation located in the Automotive Special Economic Zone in Tshwane (TASEZ). The parties discussed the needs of the local energy sector and the potential establishment of CEEP's assembly production in the SEZ," the company said.

"South African companies' management expressed interest in cooperation, noting that CEEP's products could significantly improve the efficiency of the country's energy infrastructure," it said.

CEEP also plans to certify its products in South Africa.

"In South Africa, European standards and requirements apply to electrical switchgear products. While we use 0.4/6/10/20/35 kV voltage classes, in South Africa they are different: 6.6/11/22/33 kV. Therefore, we will naturally need to adapt CEEP's equipment to local conditions. To begin with, we will compare IEC standards with Russian GOST [standards], draw conclusions, and based on this make necessary changes to our products' technical specifications for certification in South Africa," CEEP Director Kamynin was quoted as saying.

The company aims to increase its share of exports to 20% of total production by 2031 and is actively developing its international links, the press service said. Previously, electrical equipment was supplied to Georgia, Moldova and Cuba, and the company opened an office in China in 2024.

According to the information on company's website, the plant has been operating since 2010. It specializes in the production of more than 30 types of electrical equipment with voltages of up to 35 kV, and also produces modular boiler units, heat points, water purification and chemical water treatment units and industrial-type uninterruptible power supplies.

According to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, 51% of CEEP's charter capital belongs to its director Alexei Kamynin.