The second unit at State-owned electricity provider Eskom’s Ingula pumped storage scheme has entered into commercial operation.
The second unit has been contributing 333 MW to the national power grid since May, while in a testing phase.
Ingula’s Unit 4 was the first to enter into commercial operation and was launched by President Jacob Zuma last month.
The commercial operation of these two units marks a key milestone in the full commercial operation of the entire Ingula project.
“The commercial operation of Unit 2 will enable us to ensure security of power supply to South African homes and businesses.
“Besides being a catalyst for economic growth, a stable power supply will also enable Eskom, together with municipalities, to roll out electrification programmes to make life easier for millions of households who currently rely on other fuel sources for domestic cooking and heating,” Eskom CEO Brian Molefe said.
The two remaining Ingula units have been synchronised to the national grid and are on track to enter commercial operation within the first half of 2017.
The four units will produce 1 332 MW.
Recent media reports highlighted that the turbines were massively over budget and delayed, with all four turbines originally meant to have gone live in 2013.
Eskom’s board is facing calls to appear before Parliament with documents relating to the pumped-storage scheme, which has allegedly seen costs spiral from R8.9-billion to R36-billion.