Black & Veatch (Overland Park, Kan.; www.bv.com), a global engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company providing energy, water, and telecommunications solutions, announced the creation of its new local entity, Black & Veatch South Africa.
Headquartered in Johannesburg, the new local subsidiary is an extension of the 100-year old company. It also reflects Black & Veatch’s commitment to providing reliable infrastructure solutions to improve lives in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The ambitious infrastructure development programs in Sub-Saharan Africa align with our existing strengths and are a vital element of Black & Veatch’s continued global growth. The formation of this locally-based, employee-owned entity, allows us to build on a more than 50-year presence in the region,” said Karen Daniel, chief financial officer, and executive sponsor of Black & Veatch’s Sub-Saharan Africa growth strategy.
“Infrastructure is critical to empowering the people of Africa and fostering new levels of prosperity and growth in the region. Our 10,000 global professionals will work with our local clients to bring world-class power, oil and gas, water and communications solutions to the region. Together we will strive to change the way that Sub-Saharan African communities live, work and prosper for decades to come.”
“There are many opportunities for us to make a difference on the continent and we have a proven track record of delivering major infrastructure projects across Africa,” said Webb Meko, Black & Veatch South Africa Regional General Manager for Business Development.
“This step reflects Africa’s growing commitment to be a key market for global business. As a full service EPC and consulting services provider, we look forward to addressing some of Africa’s most critical infrastructure challenges.”
Black & Veatch has been planning and implementing infrastructure projects in Africa for more than 50 years. The company completed Ghana’s first IPP simple-cycle EPC project supported by U.S. investment. The Takoradi Power Facility provides electricity to address the country’s residential and industrial power needs, offsetting electricity shortages due to periodic drought conditions.
Black & Veatch is currently supporting a 4,800-MW supercritical coal-fired power megaproject in South Africa. It is one of the largest energy infrastructure projects under construction in the world, supported by a comprehensive skills and knowledge transfer program. Once completed, the project will provide reliable electricity for South Africa well into the future.