Eskom’s Medupi Unit 3 attains commercial operation status
Published by Stephanie Roker,
Editor
World Coal,
Eskom has announced that Unit 3 at its Medupi power plant project in Lephalale, Limpopo (South Africa) has attained commercial operation status. The unit was officially declared commercial after the completion of the unit optimisation, control demonstration, 72 hours and the 30 day reliability runs, putting all performance guarantees to effect.
Unit 3 reached full load on 16 May 2018 (796 MW) and was first synchronised to the national grid on 8 April 2018. Unit 3 joins its sister units, Units 6, 5 and 4, which have been commercially contributing electricity to the national grid since 23 August 2015 (U6), 3 April 2017 (U5) and 28 November 2017 (U4).
Eskom takes pride in its team at Medupi who managed to deliver the fourth Unit of Medupi power plant. Eskom applauds the Medupi team, under the leadership of Phillip Dukashe (General Manager for the Medupi power plant project), and its execution partners who worked tirelessly to ensure the Unit is handed over for commercial operation. This remarkable progress came after intensive continuous testing activities and shared dedication from Eskom and its execution partners.
“Commercial operation of Unit 3 is a major milestone that signifies that Medupi is nearing its completion; therefore it cannot be taken lightly. Eskom as the engine room of South Africa must ensure electricity supply for the economic growth of the country; and Unit 3 has contributed greatly to that cause”, said Jan Oberholzer, Chief Operating Officer of Eskom as he joined in signing the handover of Medupi Unit 3 to be part of the Eskom Generation fleet.
Commercial operation status ensures technical compliance to statutory, safety and legal requirements. This signatory milestone marks the contractual handover of the Unit from the principal contractors to Eskom.
Unit 3 is distinctively different in that it is the first of the last three Units is supported by the auxiliary plant systems from the northern side of the site as well as the new control and instrumentation system. These as well as the new interfaces resulted in significant challenges different to those of the first three units. During the testing and optimisation phase, Unit 3 was delivering power intermittently; and contributing to the country’s electricity supply.
Unit 3’s commercial operation achievement will surely alleviate the pressure on the electricity national grid.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/05072019/eskoms-medupi-unit-3-attains-commercial-operation-status/
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