Tutuka power station GM Sello Mametja is hopeful Eskom will be able to improve the energy availability factor (EAF) of the power station, near Standerton, Mpumalanga, above 70% by June next year.

Mametja took over as GM of the power station nine months ago and told media during a site tour on November 18 that Tutuka was the worst-performing of Eskom's power stations, with an EAF of only 34%.

He said the power station had been underperforming owing to years of mismanagement and improper maintenance, fraud, corruption and theft, as well as the procurement and use of improper spares and contracts.

These issues were, however, being dealt with, he assured.

Leadership changes have been effected to ensure delivery of the recovery plan, Mametja emphasised.

Moreover, mitigations are now in place to address the fraudulent activities that had been happening at the plant.

This includes, among others, fuel oil accounting and reporting being put in place, to stem the fuel theft that had been discovered earlier this year.

Also, Eskom Forensic has activated an investigation of several cases of fraud, corruption and theft relating to spares and fuel oil procurement. Two arrests have already been made.

Mametja emphasised that, while it may not be clearly visible based on the current EAF, there has already been considerable progress towards achieving an EAF level of above 70% and having all of the plants six units on load.

He explained that the reality was that the deterioration of the plant over the last few years was taking longer to resolve than anticipated.

Mametja said this was primarily owing to spares availability, funding constraints and the inculcation of a poor culture of complacency over the past few years.

He noted that the plant’s current poor performance could be attributed to the delayed initiation of long-term spares contracts, poor contract management and a lack of competency of contractors.

Therefore, a comprehensive Spares and Services Roadmap has been implemented to resolve this issue. This includes key elements such as establishing a plan for long term original equipment manufacturers contracts; and reviewing the effectiveness of existing contracts and terminating those that do not add value, Mametja indicated.

He emphasised that Eskom's leadership was committed to resolving the problems, mobilising the necessary resources, stabilising operations and improving the plant’s performance.

The Eskom board has committed its support and approved a recovery plan - which is long term in nature rather than focused on short-term goals, which are actually harmful and ultimately prolong recovery - to improve key performance indicators, Mametja said.

This, he said, would break the perpetual cycle that Tutuka is caught in, of solving yesterday's "solutions".