Karen Harverson
Local coal producers will be vying to clinch the=20 remaining coal contracts for Eskom’s R10-billion Majuba=20 power station which, when completed, will consume some=20 13-million tons of coal a year. =20
The power station, which has a design capacity of 40=20 036 megawatts, will entail the construction of six=20 sets, each consisting of a boiler, turbine, alternator=20 and unit transformer, and capable of operating=20
The first three sets have already been built and the=20 first is due for commissioning at the end of 1996. The=20 remaining two will be commissioned thereafter as demand=20 dictates. =20
Coal supplier Ingwe has the contract to supply Eskom=20 with coal for sets 1,2 and 3 but will compete with=20 other local coal producers to win the contracts for the=20 remaining three sets in the future.=20
However, the decision by Eskom on when the last three=20 sets will be built will only be made around 2000.
By then, Eskom’s total coal requirements could rise to=20 97-million tons a year — if current consumption of=20 76,9-million tons a year grows by the expected four=20 percent a year. =20
“Advances in technology may, of course, enable power=20 stations to burn less coal to produce the same amount=20 of electricity,” says an Eskom spokesperson.
Managing director Dave Murray says the coal required=20 for the commissioning of the first unit will be sourced=20 from a million-ton stockpile which will be sufficient=20 until June 1996 when Ingwe will begin phased deliveries=20 of coal.