A coordinated effort among several Quanta Services companies ensured the successful engineering, assembly, delivery and installation of two large-capacity power transformers at a major confectionery manufacturer’s Waco, Texas, facility. The project was executed in carefully timed phases to keep chocolate production flowing uninterrupted. Pennsylvania Transformer Technology LLC (PTT), a Quanta Services company, engineered and assembled the three-phase 15/20/25/28 MVA ONAN/ONAF/ONAF power transformers at its Raeford, North Carolina, facility before shipping them nearly 1,300 miles to the Texas plant. The first transformer arrived in June 2025, followed by the second in mid-September, allowing operations to continue during an extensive substation refurbishment. “Quanta delivered a complete turnkey solution. The civil, mechanical, manufacturing and logistics were handled 100% by Quanta Services companies,” said Graham Wood, director of specialized transport and engineering for Mercer Technical Services, also a Quanta Services company.
The candy manufacturer’s Waco plant plays a critical role in producing several of its signature confectionery brands. Because the facility uses heated piping to move liquid chocolate and other ingredients, any full power outage could cause the material to harden in the lines. “It was important that the two transformers arrived at different times because power to the confectionery factory could not be shut off altogether,” Wood said. “If the pipes cool, the liquefied chocolate material can harden and completely gum up the works.” Each transformer, designed to step down 138 kV to 12.47 kV, weighed roughly 72,425 pounds and reached a shipping weight of 81,330 pounds without oil. Units stood 160 inches tall and measured 129 inches wide and 225 inches deep.
The shared safety culture across Quanta companies played a central role. Working around energized equipment required precise communication, synchronized schedules and strict adherence to common safety protocols.
The new transformers feature Reinhausen RMV-II vacuum-type load tap changers for voltage regulation, Ohio Brass arresters, Type II inhibited oil and a nitrogen-pressure oil preservation system. These components were selected to deliver long-term reliability in a demanding industrial environment. By leveraging the integrated capabilities of multiple Quanta Services companies, the confectionery manufacturer received a fully coordinated, end-to-end solution that kept production running throughout the substation upgrade. Quanta’s combined expertise in transformer engineering, specialized transport, and electrical and civil construction minimized risk, eliminated downtime and simplified project execution. Their shared safety culture and precise coordination delivered a streamlined modernization that strengthens long-term power reliability for one of the manufacturer’s flagship U.S. facilities.
Pennsylvania Transformer Technology LLC, a Quanta Services company, is a U.S.-owned leader in oil-filled power transformers, producing engineered units from 5 MVA to 750 MVA and up to 765 kV for data centers, renewables, BESS and industrial applications. Founded in 1929, the company is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and operates a 1 million-square-foot manufacturing complex, along with its Raeford, North Carolina, production facility. PTT also provides full life-cycle support, including field services, parts and technical assistance.
Transforming the Grid: High-Voltage Power Solutions from 40 MVA to 345 kV
PROJECT: The 345kV high-voltage power transformer from PTT delivers exceptional reliability and performance, offering up to 150 MVA of capacity, copper windings, dual-stage forced-air cooling, and over 99.6% efficiency for heavy-duty substation and transmission applications.
PROJECT: The 138kV high-voltage power transformer from PTT provides elite-tier utility performance — offering 105/140/175 MVA capacity, dual-stage ONAN/ONAF/ONAF cooling, ±10% voltage regulation via 16 tap steps, and up to 99.77% efficiency — all assembled in the USA to ISO 9001 and ANSI/IEEE standards.
PROJECT: The 69kV 40 MVA, three-phase power transformer from PTT pairs precision copper-wound engineering with advanced ONAN/ONAF/ONAF cooling, automatic load tap changing and full ANSI/IEEE compliance—delivering robust, efficient and dependable power for demanding substation environments.
