Johannesburg - Eskom is looking into the possibility of building an additional two coal-powered power stations that would each produce up to 5 400 MW of electricity.
The two power stations would be built in the Waterberg, near Lephalale, and in Sasolburg. Construction could start as soon as 2013.
According to Tony Stott, senior manager of Eskom's nuclear energy management team, these power stations could be the biggest in South Africa.
"Their sizes have, however, not yet been decided upon. It's still early in the process and their capacity could range from 4 200MW (six units 700MW units) and 5 400MW (six units 900MW units)."
The biggest power station in Eskom's current stable is Kendal in Mpumalanga, with a capacity of 4 116MW.
Eskom is already busy with the construction of two coal-fired power stations, Medupi (4 788 MW), also in Lephalale, and Kusile (4 818 MW) in Mpumalanga.
According to Stott, environmental impact studies are being conducted in the two areas, but he reckons the average period from the initial environmental impact study to starting to build a power station is about five years.
Eskom spokesperson Fani Zulu says no final decision has been taken yet.
Final appraisal
"A start has simply been made on the environmental impact studies in these two areas. These studies are usually lengthy processes, but by starting early we can offer the country options for the future."
Eskom's nuclear programme is gathering speed. The power utility plans to have 20 000MW of nuclear power in its grid by 2025.
"There are three areas where Eskom has conducted environmental impact studies with the aim of possibly erecting a nuclear power station. These three studies have been completed and Eskom is moving into the final appraisal," says Stott.
The initial focus was on five areas where Eskom considered erecting nuclear power stations. These five have since been narrowed down to three preferred areas, namely Oyster Bay close to St Francis Bay, Skulpfontein close to Hondeklipbaai, and an area close to the existing Koeberg nuclear power station.
According to Stott the new nuclear power station would deliver some 3 500MW of electricity.
Two final decisions on the first nuclear power station, entitled Eskom Nuclear 1, still need to be taken. These decisions include awarding the first tender to one of two interested parties, namely Westinghouse or Areva, and the final decision as to the area where the power station would be built.
"At this stage there is no clarity on when either of these decisions is likely to be taken," says Zulu. But media reports suggest that the decisions might be taken during the coming week.
- Fin24.com