Pretoria - Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown has congratulated Eskom on getting its build programme on track following the synchronisation of Unit 5 at the Medupi power station in Limpopo.
The power utility synchronised the unit at the power station, which is located in Lephalale, on Thursday.
Synchronisation is when the generator in the unit is connected into the power grid so that it is aligned with all other generators on the national grid. It then starts to generate and deliver electricity into the grid over several months.
This synchronisation adds an additional 800MW to the grid.
In statement on Thursday, the Minister congratulated the leadership of Eskom on this achievement.
“The Board, headed by Dr. Ben Ngubane and the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Brian Molefe, have successfully steered Eskom through difficult times. I want to congratulate them and their staff for their commitment to the country,” she said.
Minister Brown said the utility’s leadership has managed to turn Eskom around and placed the company on a sound operational and financial footing compared to a year ago.
Molefe said the synchronisation of Unit 5 is a clear indication that the utility is on track to deliver the entire new build programme.
“This milestone further strengthens our position that load shedding is becoming a thing of the past. I am thrilled by this achievement. Eskom has turned the corner,” said Molefe.
Meanwhile, Ngubane said the synchronisation is proof that Eskom is in good hands under the leadership of Molefe.
“We commend the team for their dedication and commitment in working tirelessly to ensure that Unit 5 synchronisation is achieved ahead of schedule. This is a remarkable achievement,” said Ngubane.
This year Eskom announced a net profit of R4.6 billion for the 2015/2016 financial period.
“This has contributed to operational and financial sustainability for the company, while the grid had stabilised to such an extent that we have a reliable electricity supply for South Africa. What we are seeing is a culmination of visionary leadership that placed Eskom in a much stronger position.
“Their inspiring leadership stabilised the grid and since May last year we have seen the build-programme being accelerated, while at the same increased maintenance,” said Minister Brown.
The Minister noted that this year has seen Ingula Power Pump station’s unit 3 and 4 becoming commercially operational, while Medupi’s unit 6 led the way in the second half of 2015.
Over the last 18 months South Africa has seen 1800 MW being added to the grid while the new build programme will add 8 600 MW of new capacity by 2020/21.
“Over and above the added power supply, Eskom has invested R289.5 billion (excluding capitalised borrowing costs) on its capacity expansion programme since 2005. Mr Molefe has managed to revitalise Eskom by assembling and leading a dynamic executive team. There is a new sense of urgency and a drive to succeed at Eskom,” said Minister Brown.
Once completed, Medupi will be the fourth largest coal-fired power plant, and the largest dry-cooled power station in the world. It will consist of six units with an installed capacity of 4 800MW. The planned operational life of the power station is 50 years.
The power station uses direct dry-cooling systems due to the water scarcity in the Lephalale area. Dry-cooling systems use air instead of water to cool the steam exiting a turbine. –SAnews.gov.za
