Dark times ahead with continued power crisis

By Cathy Dippnall

SOUTH Africa‘s power problems might continue for longer than anticipated because open-cycle gas turbines being built in Mossel Bay and Atlantis in Cape Town will not be ready for next winter. The turbines will provide an additional 1 050 megawatts of capacity. Eskom head Jacob Maroga said the opening of the additional infrastructure was behind schedule because of delays with the environmental impact assessment process.

“It was hoped that the construction and commissioning of the two plants would have been ready for winter 2008, but because of certain EIA challenges that have to be overcome, we will not be able to deliver within the time frames we had set ourselves,” Maroga said. Demand is expected to grow to 38 600MW at peak times by next winter, but consumer usage has nearly grown to that already, with Eskom announcing it had recorded its highest-ever peak demands this July, at 36 513 MW.

Eskom approved additions to double the capacity of the OCGT plants in Mossel Bay and Atlantis, which came into operation ahead of the 2007 winter deadline. Two 150MW units were added to the 450MW Gourikwa OCGT plant near Mossel Bay and five 150MW units to the 600MW Ankerlig station in Atlantis. Maroga said by winter 2008, providing enough electricity to consumers would be a challenge. “The only capacity we will be able to use between now and next winter will be a number of re-commissioned power stations we are taking out of mothballs. However, the rate of capacity is unlikely to match demand.”

Eskom is battling to supply South Africa‘s growing economy and energy demands on its own. The state- owned company has invited private sector participation. The national electricity regulator has been tasked to give its approval of partnerships with Eskom and private producers. Eskom managing director, enterprises, Brian Dames said a number of factors had been taken into account when considering the best technology to meet South Africa‘s growing energy needs. “Our decision to develop OCGT power stations was influenced by factors such as international best practice, and shorter lead and constructions times when compared to pumped storage schemes.”

In addition to supplying the extra capacity for the Western Cape, the OCGT stations would play an important role in stabilising supply to the province. Easy access to fuel was a major factor in locating the site in Mossel Bay as the plant‘s fuel is supplied by PetroSA, while the Atlantis plant is supplied by major suppliers in the Cape Town area, with fuel being transported by truck to the station.

http://www.theherald.co.za/herald/news/n02_19092007.htm