Progress at the Medupi project

The last of six generator stators, an integral part of the huge generators at the Medupi power plant, was lifted into position last Saturday. 
Each of the stators which weighs an enormous 368 tons was transported by road over a period of 18 days and a distance of 1 100 km from Richards Bay, Kwazulu-Natal to the Medupi building site in Lephalale.
The Unit 4 air-cooled condenser condensate tank has also been lifted into position.  This is the first step in connecting Unit 4 with the turbine condensate system.
The first unit (Unit 6) is scheduled to start generating power in the second half of next year. The remaining five units of Medupi will be brought online at intervals thereafter.
Up to 116 000 tons of coal is already on site in preparation for the first firing of the boiler for Unit 6. The final Unit 6 turbine coupling installation is already in progress. Coal stockpiles, ash stockpiles and all related equipment are close to commissioning.
Eskom announced this week that it has already added 6 000 MW (more than the output of Medupi) to its generating capacity by returning three mothballed power stations to service, adding gas-fired plants and by increasing capacity at some existing power stations.