Return-to-service projects

These projects consist of the return to service of the three previously “mothballed” coal-fired power stations - Camden (1 600MW), Grootvlei (1 200MW), and Komati (1 000MW) - after a period of almost 20 years in long-term storage. These stations are being recommissioned to meet the short- to medium-term growth in demand. This entails detailed inspections and assessment of the condition of the machinery and the refurbishment and/or replacement of components to ensure a reliable operating life of at least 15 years.

Camden:

Unit 6 was the first unit to be commissioned in July 2005. Units 2 to 8 are now in commercial operation. Unit 1, the final unit, is due to be placed in commercial operation in July 2008, which will complete the return to service of Camden power station.

Grootvlei:

the very old technology is posing many challenges to the refurbishment process. The first unit, commissioned at the end of March 2008, has highlighted most of the challenges, which should then facilitate the commissioning of the rest of the units. Unit 2 is planned to be in commercial operation by the August 2008. The last unit, unit 6, is due to be available for commercial operation by the end of 2009.

Komati:

The first unit (Unit 9) of this coal-fired station is planned to be commissioned by the end of 2008. The last unit is scheduled to be in commercial operation by 2010. An important milestone in the Komati return to service was reached on 05 March 2008, when the unit 9 boiler produced its first steam.

New coal projects

Medupi:

a coal-fired baseload power station in Lephalale, Limpopo Province, comprising six units rated, in total, at 4 788MW installed capacity. The first unit will be commissioned in 2012, with the last unit scheduled for commissioning in 2015. These units are planned as direct dry-cooled units such as those at the existing Matimba power station in that area.

Meaning of “Medupi” - the rain that soaks parched lands, giving economic relief.

Bravo:

A coal-fired baseload power station near Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, comprising six units with an installed capacity of 4 818MW. The first unit is to be commissioned in 2013, with the last unit scheduled for commissioning in 2016. This plant will also be direct dry-cooled, similar to Matimba and Medupi, and will be the first of the new plants to have flue gas desulphurisation installed for the reduction of sulphur dioxide emissions.

Gas projects

Open-cycle gas turbines - Ankerlig (Atlantis) and Gourikwa (Mossel Bay):

These two power stations are rated, in total, at 1 043MW (Ankerlig – 4 x 149MW units and Gourikwa – 3 x 149MW units). All units were commissioned between March 2007 and June 2007.

“Ankerlig” refers to an Afrikaans phrase “om die anker te lig”, which means “to lift the anchor”. This is symbolic of a community that rises above the chains of poverty to experience growth and prosperity.

Gourikwa is named after an ethnic group that lived in that area.

Gas 1: open-cycle gas turbines (Ankerlig and Gourikwa):

This is an extension of the Ankerlig and Gourikwa power stations. The building of five additional units at Ankerlig, each at 149MW, started in August 2007 and will be complete in 2009. The second phase at Gourikwa involves the building of two additional units, each at 149MW to be completed in 2009. Earthworks started in September 2007. The total additional capacity at both sites will be 1 043MW.

Pumped-storage project

Ingula:

This is a pumped-storage scheme near Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, with an installed capacity of 1 352MW. The station will comprise two dams - one at the top and the other at the bottom of the escarpment - and underground waterways, an underground powerhouse complex, access tunnels, and access roads. Water will be pumped up to the upper dam at times of low electricity demand and released at times of peak electricity demand to generate electricity via hydroelectric turbines. All four units will be commissioned in 2013.

The name alludes to the creamy content at the top of the milk calabash.

Arnot power station capacity increase project

This project will increase the capacity of Arnot power station, near Middelburg in Mpumalanga, by 270MW. Currently, 120MW has been commissioned. The planned completion date for the last unit is the end of 2010.

Renewable energy project

West coast wind farm project:

Located on the West Coast near the town of Koekenaap, the wind energy facility is proposed to accommodate 50 turbines, each of 2MW, for a total output of 100MW. The turbines would be positioned over an area of approximately 25km2. The environmental authorisation was issued in May 2008. Negotiations with land owners are ongoing. Subject to the necessary approvals, the plant could be operational by the middle of 2010.

Other projects

Majuba rail:

The building of a 68km railway line between Ermelo and Volksrust to transport coal to the Majuba power station. The completion of this project will result in a significant reduction in the number of trucks transporting coal by road to Majuba. Project completion was targeted for August 2009, but several challenges, related to access, permits, servitude agreements, and licences, are likely to delay the project completion. Possible project completion will now be November 2011.

Transmission projects under construction

Cape Strengthening Western Grid:

The Palmiet/Stikland 400kV high-voltage line (56km) was completed in 2007.

Platinum basin:

Expansions in the platinum basin include the development of a new 400kV transmission line and three new substations: Dinaledi (Brits), Leseding (Steelpoort), and Marang (Rustenburg). The scheme is 99% complete, and the last portion of the Apollo/Dinaledi 400kV line will now be completed thanks to a servitude having been obtained for the outstanding 7km section parallel to the Spoornet railway lines. The expected completion date is mid-2008.

765kV Zeus to Omega:

This project involves the construction of a 765kV transmission power line and associated substation infrastructure from Zeus substation in Mpumalanga down to Omega substation, near Koeberg power station - approximately 1 450km. This line will considerably strengthen the electricity supply to the Western Cape. The target date for completion is in 2010/11. To date, 125,3km of this line had been strung.

Duvha-Leseding line:

This project is aimed at increasing the capacity into the Steelpoort area. The project comprises the 400kV yard extensions at Leseding substation and the construction of 206km of line from Duvha to Leseding. The project completion date is 2009.

Apollo substation refurbishment:

The refurbishment will increase the general availability and maintainability of the Cahora Bassa-Apollo interconnection. This will increase the import capacity to a maximum of 1 800MW. The planned completion is mid-2008. By year-end, more than 60% of the project was complete.

Beta/Delphi 400kV line: the Beta/Delphi 400kV high-voltage line (408km) and substation upgrade from the Free State to the Eastern Cape. This was completed in the second semester of 2007.