Eskom has been warned that if it does not repair and upgrade its water treatment plants, it could lose more than 13 000MW (which equates to 13 stages of loadshedding) from the grid.
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According to a report by the German consultancy firm VGBE Energy, which spent four and a half months researching the operations of the struggling power utility.
According to BusinessTech, the report reflects Eskom’s operational situation between March and May 2023. After it was delivered in September 2023, it implemented a new energy plan, which also included an increase in planned maintenance.
The report states the plant that services the Medupi and Matimba power stations is in a state of disrepair and unable to supply both stations at full capacity. If the plant fails, it could shut down 12 units with a total capacity of 9 800MW.
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Furthermore, it was also noted that the water supply is insufficient to install the wet flue gas desulfurisation plant that needs to be built for the Medupi and Matimba sites by 2025.
It also notes that the water treatment plant at Kendal is in poor condition. If this plant fails, six units, totalling 3 840MW of capacity, would shut down.
However, as reported by News24 and BusinessLive, Eskom argues that some of the report’s findings are inaccurate.
Eric Shunmagum, a senior manager in the group executive generation office of Eskom, says some ‘inaccuracies’ need to be corrected.
Firstly, the report notes that Medupi and Matimba share the same water treatment plant. Shunmagum says this is not true.
Secondly, he also stated that he was not aware of any critical maintenance work required for the above-mentioned water treatment plants.
He added that several issues mentioned in the report were already being addressed.
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Picture: Eskom Holdings