Eskom has warned that it will take another 24 months and an additional R13-billion for the Medupi power station to deliver electricity to the national grid at full capacity at a time when the economy is fragile.
This could put a damper on the expected economic recovery as the ongoing energy crisis could see Eskom continue failing to meet the country’s electricity demand, leading to muted industrial activity.
The SA Reserve Bank last month took a cautious stance and maintained its 4.2% gross domestic outlook for 2021 as recent supply disruptions and protracted lockdown could result in downward risks to economic growth. The struggling power utility yesterday announced that its flagship Medupi in Limpopo has been finally completed, 14 years after the project commenced.
The power utility said Medupi’s last of six generation units – Unit 1 – had attained commercial operation status on Saturday and was thus handed over to the generation division.
This marked the completion of all building activities on the 4,764 megawatts project, which commenced in May 2007 with an operational life of 50 years.
However, Eskom’s group executive for capital division, Bheki Nxumalo, said the power utility still had to resolve a number of technical defects at the station.
“What remains for the Medupi project is the last part of implementing the agreed technical solutions related to the boiler design defects on the balance of plant,” Nxumalo said.
“Once these repairs are completed during the next 24 months, Medupi will reliably deliver power to the national grid at full capacity, helping increase energy security for the country.”
