Unit 4 at Eskom’s Medupi Power Station Project in Lephalale, Limpopo, has attained commercial operation status. 

In a statement release on Tuesday the power utility said the unit reached its full power on 19 June 2017 just 20 days after its successful synchronisation on 31 May 2017. Five months later, after further tests were conducted, Unit 4 has now been declared in full commercial operation ahead of the scheduled timeline of July 2018.

With an output of 794 megawatts going to the national grid, Unit 4 joins its sister units, Unit 6 and 5, which have been contributing to the balancing of electricity supply and demand since 23 August 2015 and 3 April 2017 respectively.

“We are proud of this achievement. This accomplishment is a reflection of hard work and team effort.  Eskom applauds the Medupi team, under the leadership of Phillip Dukashe. This is indeed an embodiment of delivery and excellence. Well done to the Medupi team!” said Peter Sebola, Acting Group Executive, Group Capital Division.

Serious about service delivery

Eskom Interim Group Chief Executive, Sean Maritz said Eskom’s New Build team is giving the country an assurance that the utility is indeed serious about delivering the new build projects on time and within budget.

“Despite all the challenges we are faced with as an organisation and our perceived image in the public domain, this amazing results strengthen our determination to make sure that despite our challenges, we continue to deliver on our projects. New Build is at the core of making sure that we continue to build excess electricity capacity and contribute to the economic growth of the country at large,” he added.

Commercial Operation status ensures technical compliance to statutory, safety and legal requirements. This signatory milestone marks the contractual handover of the unit from the primary contractors to Eskom.  Medupi Unit 4 is now part of the Eskom Generation fleet.