Johnathan Paoli
Eskom has confirmed the addition of more megawatts of power following the successful synchronisation into the national grid of Unit 5 of the Kusile power plant.
Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokoena said on Sunday the unit is expected to contribute an additional 800 megawatts to the national power system.
Mokoena said that the unit will supply electricity intermittently during the testing and optimisation phase over the next six months before being transferred into commercial operation and the capacity officially added to the current Eskom fleet.
The power utility’s Group Executive for Generation Bheki Nxumalo said as part of the Generation Recovery Plan, the synchronisation of the unit marked another significant milestone of sustainably improving generation performance as well as contributing the much needed power to the grid.
“We are encouraged that this achievement of our recovery plan immediately follows the return of the three units that were brought online from the end of September 2023, bringing a total of 3 200 MW into the grid, which will further improve the energy availability factor (EAF) and help strengthen South Africa’s electricity capacity,” Nxumalo said.
The power utility said progress was being made on the remaining construction and commissioning activities at Unit 6 and at completion, the station will consist of six units which will produce 4 800 MW, making it the country’s largest construction project and the world’s fourth-largest coal plant.
Mokoena said that the power station was fitted with wet flue gas desulphurisation (WFGD) emissions abatement technology in line with current international practice to ensure compliance with air quality standards and that this would make Kusile the first power station in South Africa and Africa to use WFGD technology, which is used to remove sulphur dioxide from the flue gas before discharge to the atmosphere.
In addition, the spokesperson said that repair works to the permanent stack for units 1, 2, and 3 were progressing well, with intensified efforts being made to return Medupi Unit 4 to service by the end of July 2024 and that this, together with the successful completion of Kusile Unit 5 and the return of the three Kusile units would further improve the energy availability and give impetus to the power utility’s Generation Recovery Plan.
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