Unit six of the Medupi power station – which was scheduled to go live in December – will be synchronised by mid-February.<\/p>\n
This is according to Solidarity members who work at Eskom.<\/p>\n
The union pointed out in a statement that this will only happen if there are no unforeseen problems.<\/p>\n
Medupi, which started construction in 2007, was first set to come online in mid-2013, after a number of technical, labour and manufacturing issues hampered progress.<\/p>\n
Eskom had initially set a deadline for one of the units of the much-delayed Medupi power plant to come online by 24 December \u2013 offering an additional 800MW to the national grid \u2013 but the plan was once again postponed.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur members indicated that good progress was being made with the preparations for the synchronisation of Unit 6,” said Deon Reyneke, head of Solidarity\u2019s Energy Industry.<\/p>\n
“We believe and trust that, if all goes well, Eskom will be able to complete the synchronisation of this unit by the middle of February,\u201d Reyneke said.<\/p>\n
Reyneke expressed concern about allegations that Eskom was taking various shortcuts to make up for lost time.<\/p>\n
The union has launched an investigation into the allegations.<\/p>\n
Energy expert Chris Yelland previously brought to light several potential issues at Medupi relating to the lack of testing on the first Hitachi boiler to meet guidelines and contract specifications.<\/p>\n
The tests are intended to simulate full-load conditions.<\/p>\n
Eskom, meanwhile, denied any significant risk resulting from abandoning the testing, adding it took the decision after a \u201cthorough risk evaluation\u201d.<\/p>\n
The power utility said it could handle any possible risk that may result from abandoning the testing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Eskom is disregarding vital measures, the country and its power grid will suffer the consequences for a long time to come,\u201d Reyneke said.<\/p>\n
Medupi issue could put SA power at risk: expert<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n