We could happily state that the PPA CONTROLL group of companies is doing well in all areas in which its subsidiaries operate. However, that would not be enough. We are constantly innovating our products and processes, we care about the education and satisfaction of our employees, and this brings us interesting projects at home and abroad.
Five years is a relatively short time in the life of a company. However, when we looked at the last five years of PPA CONTROLL Holding, we were surprised to find that we have successfully implemented so many projects that few people manage to do in 1 days.
Our place under the sun
The company's roots go back to 1951, when the Regula company was founded. It was later included in the production and economic unit called Industrial Automation Plant Prague with a branch plant in Bratislava. After the revolution, it was privatized by employees and became the modern PPA CONTROLL.
Throughout its history, the company has been focused on services in the field of electrical systems, measurement, regulation and automation for various industrial sectors and the energy sector, which still accounts for a significant part of our turnover. After privatization, the company's original focus was supplemented by new directions, firstly the production of its own high-quality LV switchgear, the implementation of control systems and technological equipment for transport infrastructure, energy management and others.
Our latest activities include complex technological projects in energy, heating, transport and the circular economy. The common denominator of almost all of our projects is a positive impact on the environment, reducing the carbon footprint and increasing safety.
Challenges that move us forward
At PPA CONTROLL Group, we are constantly looking ahead to ensure that our employees have jobs and that the company thrives. However, it is impossible to plan for the future without knowing our past. That is why we took a closer look at the projects we have dedicated our time and energy to over the past five years.
There were significantly more than the space of one blog allows. Therefore, we have selected those that were a fundamental challenge and where we learned to respond even more flexibly and effectively.
The completion of one of these projects on domestic soil was the launch of Unit 3 of the nuclear power plant in Mochovce, which marked a significant milestone for Slovakia's self-sufficiency in electricity production.
Technology is our strength
As since the beginning of our history, over the past five years, a large part of our activities have been concentrated in the energy sector, which constitutes our core business. Our largest subsidiary, PPA ENERGO, is involved in the decommissioning and operation of nuclear reactors in Jaslovské Bohunice, as well as in the construction of units three and four in Mochovce. Activities include design, equipment supply, installation work, including functional tests of automated measurement and control systems. During the construction of units three and four, we delivered more than 2 switchgear panels, 000 smaller technological cabinets, almost 1 operational measuring instruments and laid more than 500 kilometers of cables, which is approximately 5 pieces of cables in the technological areas of the power plant.
We actively participated in the commissioning of the third unit, while we provide general repairs to the functional units during shutdowns. We are currently working on the completion of the fourth unit.
Our subsidiary PPA Power DS is currently taking care of several photovoltaic power plants and builds local energy resources and microgrid networks to ensure the most optimal energy conditions for our customers in many industrial parks across Slovakia.
In 2021, we successfully acquired LiV ELEKTRA, a company operating on the Slovak-Czech market with a focus on large-scale energy. It specializes in the construction of transformer stations and distribution systems, which is a good addition to our portfolio. It is currently participating in the construction of a new power station in Peacefully, which brings positive effects with many of its SMART solutions.
We are also successful in supplying technologies to specific halls, especially in the automotive segment. Our footprint can be found in all car factories in Slovakia, but in recent years it has mainly been deliveries to Volkswagen Bratislava and Jaguar Land Rover in Nitra. We have also managed to establish ourselves abroad in this demanding segment, specifically in the construction GigaFactory in Germany, where Tesla electric cars are manufactured
Our footprint on the highways
In the PPA CONTROLL group, we have over 20 years of experience in providing services in the field of road management. Our other subsidiary, PPA INŽINIERING, is successful in the highway program, providing design and programming work, supplying technologies and equipment for tunnels and highways. Our most significant project in this sector was the 44-kilometer highway section D1 between Horná Streda and Trnava.
We replaced outdated metal signs variable traffic signs. We have also completely equipped the section with power supply, communication infrastructure, cameras, control system, operator workplace, traffic counters and weather stations. At first glance, uninteresting systems are key in the event of exceptional circumstances, such as traffic accidents. The control center can almost immediately adapt the highway to the situation. It can very easily redirect traffic and use variable traffic signs to alert drivers to the current state of the road. It represents a significant safety and operational advantage, while maintaining the comfort of road users.
The Považský Chlmec and Považský Chlmec tunnels were put into operation. Bikosh, where the latter is currently the most modern tunnel in Slovakia and was the first to use LED lighting, which increases the safety of operation in the tunnel.
The last but most important achievement for now is the victory in the competition for the supply of technologies for the tunnel. Višňové, which will be the longest tunnel in Slovakia with its 7,5 km. This is one of the largest contracts of the recent period, worth more than 54 million euros. We succeeded in the tender not only thanks to the price, but especially thanks to our experience with similar demanding constructions. We worked on various projects that shaped our know-how. We use the most modern technologies available on the market. Our most experienced people are in charge of the management and implementation of the project.
Beyond borders and ecologically
Many of our projects are taking place abroad, where we work on the construction and modernization of nuclear power plants, industrial complexes and solid waste incinerators. In the UK alone, we have participated in the construction of four modern incineratorwhich convert unnecessary waste for the necessary energy. In Hungary, we have several projects underway for halls where components for electric vehicles will be produced, which currently represent one of the ways to significantly reduce the environmental impact of transport.
We also had energy projects in Venezuela, Cuba, France and the Czech Republic. However, domestic projects to increase energy efficiency and phase out coal-fired power generation were and are also interesting. For example, we can mention the construction of Heating plants in Martin or the construction of a new energy source in Confectioneries Sered.
We also participate in two contracts within the project ITER in France. Since it is the first power plant of this type, the project has a research or experimental character. The effort is to replace and possibly prospect electricity production by fusion reaction. If the project is successful, the reactor will subsequently be transferred to the use phase and may become an energy source of the future. Of course, only if the project passes the experimental phase. It is planned for 2033 and possibly later.
The entire reactor and power plant are currently being built. As part of the first project, we are assembling components for the power supply technology and at the same time safely conducting and neutralizing the accumulated energy created by nuclear fusion in the tokamak. These are specific water-cooled conductors that are not commonly used. In addition, we managed to sign a framework contract for the development, production and supply of special switchboards that are resistant to the high magnetic field around the tokamak. The switchboards have a special design and the problem was to find a laboratory that could develop such a large magnetic field and test the functionality, but we managed to do it. Thanks to our experience and references from the nuclear program, we are successful in regularly announced tenders.
Our strength is people
It is clear to us that participation in the aforementioned projects would not be possible without high-quality and qualified employeesWe consider these to be the greatest value of the PPA CONTROLL group.
We can only handle orders for which we are prepared in terms of deadlines and personnel. This means that we must have very skilled teams, prepared linguistically, professionally, and also from a human and psychological point of view, since they go on shifts and are away from home for weeks or months. Creating such teams is not easy, we as a company, our managers and our employees are still learning. If we know their needs or problems and they in turn master our strategy, goals and corporate culture, we move each other forward.
