Lephalale - Members of the media gathered at the Medupi power station in Lephalale, Limpopo, on Thursday to tour the construction site, which has been hit by a series of delays.
In the invitation, Eskom CEO Brian Dames said the media would be updated on progress at Medupi and on the "state of the power system". Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba was expected to speak.
Gigaba was being updated by Medupi management on Thursday morning ahead of the briefing, during which the expected completion date would be announced.
News crews arrived at the construction site, where they were briefed on the health, safety and security measures in place.
They were given safety boots, helmets and reflector jackets. Journalists would tour the site before the briefing.
Construction at the site has been hampered by workers downing tools. In January, Eskom temporarily closed the power station when contract workers went on strike.
Construction of the coal-fired power plant, which is set to be commissioned in 2015, was also interrupted when workers downed tools in September.
Also, faults in factory welds had been discovered, arising from inadequate post-weld heat treatment.
Hitachi Power Africa, which is part-owned by the African National Congress’s investment arm Chancellor House is providing the boilers for the power station.
Last month, Gigaba said the December 2013 deadline for the station to start delivering power would not change.
"Clearly, Eskom must exercise a more active role in the management of these projects, and ensuring that they constantly mediate the dispute between the workers and employers," he said.
Once completed, Medupi will be the largest dry-cooled, coal-fired power station in the world.