Eskom largely uses freshwater resources from government water
schemes. In the period under review, approximately 8 000ML
of mine water was used at Tutuka and Lethabo power stations.
We are implementing a mine water recovery project to use
approximately 6ML/day of mine water at Duvha power station.
The increase in water usage was partially influenced by the
quality of raw water received, the deteriorating thermal efficiency
at some power stations and the considerable load generated at
power stations that are not as water efficient as the modern wetcooled
power stations.
Although the 2008 performance did not meet target, it has
improved compared with the 2007 performance, even though
production from wet-cooled stations exceeded planned levels.
Water management studies have been commissioned with the
aim of identifying improvement opportunities.
Increased demand for electricity is expected to result in higher
water consumption over the next five years. Although the next
generation of coal-fired power stations will be supercritical drycooled
power stations, overall water consumption is expected to
increase by about 14 million cubic metres per annum. This includes
the use of water in the flue gas desulphurisation process.
Eskom continues to work with the Department of Water Affairs
and Forestry (DWAF) to ensure the effective and efficient
management of raw water supply infrastructure. This includes
transfer schemes serving existing power stations, planning raw
water supply infrastructure projects for new power stations and
the timely and efficient processing and authorisation of water-use
licence applications. We have secured our water supplies through
long-term water supply and payment contracts with DWAF.
DWAF, through its project funding and implementation arm,
Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority, is implementing the Vaal River
Eastern Sub-system Augmentation Project. This was approved
by the South African government to augment raw water from
the Vaal Dam to supply Eskom and Sasol’s growing water
demands in Mpumalanga. The project is due to deliver water
by September 2008.
Plans are also well advanced to augment water supplies by
transferring surplus effluent return flows from the Crocodile
River (West)/Marico water management area, to the Mokolo
catchment in the Limpopo water management area. This will
enhance water supply to the Matimba and Medupi power
stations in the Lephalale area.
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