Publications
Partners
Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma officially opened one of six generating units at Medupi Power Station in Lephalale, Limpopo, on Sunday.
The power station that was supposed to be completed in 2015 has officially brought on unit six commercially, which will add 800 megawatts (MW) to the country’s strained electricity grid.
Once complete in 2019, Medupi will add 4 764 MW to Eskom’s grid and will bring its total capacity from its current 41 194MW to 45 958 MW.
Eskom's Integrated Annual Results presentation on 11 August 2015 revealed that the completion of Medupi had been revised from 2017 to 2019, with Kusile revised from 2019 to 2021.
Zuma told guests at Medupi on Sunday that the unveiling of Unit 6 "is proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel".
In the construction of Medupi, SA companies were prioritised in supplying goods as well as Skills development in various engineering fields, he said.
"Medupi has changed Lephalele’s fortunes as the town’s gross domestic product is increasing by 95% a year," he said. "Medupi a living example of our infrastructure projects that stimulate local economies."
"The operation of unit 6 is a demonstration that this project is making progress," he said. "Its impact is already being felt across SA."
The African National Congress (ANC) on Sunday welcomed the official opening of Medupi Unit 6, which was first synchronised to the national grid on 2 March 2015.
“At a time of increased energy scarcity for South Africa we welcome the addition of this new generation capacity that is so critical to growing our economy,” says ANC Spokesperson Zizi Kodwa.
He added that as consumption levels rise, the delivery of electricity remained key to building a more socially inclusive society.
“Access to electricity doesn’t just grow businesses, it also lifts millions of people out of poverty,” said Kodwa.
The ANC further welcomes investment in power infrastructure that accelerates economic development and continues to move South Africa Forward.
Unit 6 at Medupi gets ready to celebrate its commercial launch with President Jacob Zuma. (Photo: Eskom)
Tweets from the event:
The president has unveiled the plaque at #Medupi unit six.@eNCA pic.twitter.com/xCzkNvSwZD
— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) August 30, 2015President Zuma has officially opened unit 6 of the #Medupi power station pic.twitter.com/YWaMZwgOr3
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) August 30, 2015#medupi hydro turbines pic.twitter.com/mrJCPKcljK
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) August 30, 2015Unit 6 of #Medupi power station will be officially opened by President Zuma pic.twitter.com/I5QupR1kya
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) August 30, 2015#Medupi President Zuma is at Medupi - expected to deliver his speech in a short while for official launch of unit 6. pic.twitter.com/VTUEnAhm5W
— POWER987 News (@POWER987News) August 30, 2015Photographers prepare to snap away the launch of Eskom Medupi unit 6 power plant. pic.twitter.com/BNChhjxsNU
— Mpho Sibanyoni (@mphoza248) August 30, 2015RT @angelo2711: Brian Molefe hard at work @ WAB #Medupi pic.twitter.com/kt53cJmns1
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) August 30, 2015Wonder what happened to the leg of Public Works minister Thulas Nxesi? Wishing him speedy recovery. #Eskom #medupi pic.twitter.com/gHr1keu2bd
— Mpho Sibanyoni (@mphoza248) August 30, 2015
