Eskom’s new build projects (Medupi, Kusile and Ingula) are being delayed again – this time by the NUMSA metal workers’ strike. The utility reports that attendance by contracting workers at its new build power station construction sites is at about 70% of normal levels due to the strike, and that work is therefore affected […]
Speaking at the utility’s integrated results announcement meeting on 11 July 2014, Lynne Brown, the minister of public enterprises said that the utility needs to improve its performance by thinking outside the box and doing something extraordinary. Eskom has reported a net profit of R7,1-billion for the year ended 31 March 2014 (which includes profit on […]
A failure of a transformer does not always cause a fire, however, if this does happen the consequences can be very severe. The extent of the damage may even cascade to the adjacent plant. Cigré Study Committee (SC) A2 initiated a working group (WG A2.33) which looked at transformer fire safety and compiled a […]
At a recent conference in Cape Town I was asked to address the load shedding of 6 March this year and the dire consequences for the South African economy and investor confidence. My response was that there are two ways we can view the South African power sector. On the one hand you could […]
Eskom successfully energised the high voltage (HV) yard and three power lines at the Ingula pumped storage scheme in June 2014. The project is currently under construction near Ladysmith on the border of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. The Ingula pumped-storage scheme, located within the Little Drakensberg mountain range, 23 km north-east of Van Reenen’s, […]
The public has become accustomed to a certain way of life which demands immediate access to information and entertainment, and that is something that technology on its own cannot resolve. Although additional electricity supply will become available in time, it is essential that demand is curtailed now, and the only way to get everyone […]
The Southern African power system protection conference, which is held once every two years, provides a forum for discussion within the power system protection and related discipline industries; creates an opportunity for valuable exchanges of international ideas and experience; enhances the technological knowledge base of attendees; and engenders enthusiasm and stimulates interest in the […]
This paper uses the simplified network reliability framework developed by Eskom to examine the high-level economic benefits of network visibility options. The relative economic benefit of different network visibility options and the order of their deployment is analysed. Eskom supplies over 4,7-million customers on more than 8000 MV feeders (i.e. 6 – 33 kV) […]
The modern era of power delivery is faced with many challenges due to decreased reserves, increased use of renewable generation, flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices, and changes in customer/load behaviour. In order to manage the risks introduced by these challenges, it is important to have near real time visibility of the health […]
Eskom’s senior executives will not take their annual bonuses for the financial year 2013/14. The utility’s interim CEO, Collin Matjila, says that this decision was made as part of Eskom’s efforts to cut costs in light of the projected R225-billion revenue shortfall over the five-year period 2013 – 2018. The decision to forgo bonuses […]
