“Medupi delay will not affect Lephalale” - MM

Eskom announced on Monday that it will most likely not meet its December 2013 deadline for the first synchronisation of Unit 6 to South Africa’s electricity grid. “A more realistic target is the second half of 2014,” the statement read.
The announcement follows in-depth independent and internal assessments of the project over the past few months.
“We have done everything in our power to meet the December target date,” says Eskom CEO, Brian Dames. “However it is now clear that the boiler and control and instrumentation issues cannot be resolved in time for the first unit of Medupi to deliver first power to the grid by 2013.”
As a result of the longer than expected construction time, the cost to completion of Medupi is now expected to increase to a maximum of R105 billion, from the previous estimate of R91.2-billion.
The delay of the Medupi project is detrimental to the country, but how will it affect development in the Waterberg?
Lephalale municipal manager (MM) Bob Naidoo does not believe that it will have a great affect on the town itself.
“Expansion to the town’s electricity supply is linked to the Waterberg substation and does not rely on Medupi’s commissioning. Our plan is to triple electricity supply by the second half of 2015. Until that time, we are asking developers to first confirm the availability of electricity with the municipality, because we are at our peak.”
He told Northern News this week that the municipality will continue to work closely with Medupi management team in order to give them the necessary support.
“We want Eskom to achieve their targets and we will do all we can to provide the services needed to accommodate the necessary measures to finish the job,” Naidoo added.
Eskom also confirmed this week that it is working with stakeholders to ensure security of electricity supply despite the delay.
“A revised outlook indicates that there could be a potential gap in supply in 2014, with the most likely scenario being a gap of in the region of 700 MW.
The power system will remain tight, as we have said, but demand for electricity has been muted because of slower than expected economic growth, and we are working to put initiatives in place to close the gap. We remain determined to keep the lights on, with the help of all South Africans. This is being done with support from Government,” Dames said.
Once Unit 6
is online, the remaining five units of Medupi will be brought online at intervals, so that the entire power station should be fully commissioned by 2017.