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In October 2022, three units at Kusile power station in Mpumalanga were shut down. This came as a result of the collapse of a flue gas desulphurisation duct that carries emissions from unit 1 into a large chimney. The duct collapsed under the weight of ash build-up inside the pipe.
Noteworthy, the chimney also houses the flue gas ducts for units 2 and 3 which is why the three units, with a combined generation capacity of 2,400MW, had to be shut down. The shutdown of these units largely contributed to two full stages of load-shedding. Eskom expected the three units to be reintroduced to the grid by December 24.
The good news is that at least one of the three units could start generating electricity in October, approximately two months earlier. This was revealed recently by Eskom’s head of generation Bheki Nxumalo. The earlier completion date will reportedly give the state-owned power company room to increase overall maintenance without higher stages of load-shedding.
Nxumalo explained that once all the three units return to service they will run at full capacity.
Kusile Power Plant Overview
Kusile is a coal-fired power station close to the existing Kendal power station in the Delmas municipal area of the Mpumalanga province South Africa. It is the second most advanced coal-fired power plant project in Eskom after the Medupi power station in Lephalale. As a rule, a coal-fired power station takes about eight years to build.
The Iconic Tower
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The Iconic Tower
The over US $7bn stations will consist of six units each rated at approximately 800MW installed capacity giving a total of 4800MW. As such it will be one of the largest coal-fired power stations in the world, once finished. The power station will be coal-fired, with the coal supplied by a new colliery near the power station.
Below is the Kusile power station timeline and all you need to know about the project from the beginning to the present date. |
