An energy expert has warned that the reintroduction of Kusile units would not be the panacea that addresses South Africa’s power problems. The power station’s Unit 1 just began operations, adding 800MW capacity to the system.
While this is encouraging news, the question remains: does it mean that South Africa is one step closer to eliminating load shedding?
In a recent interview, energy expert Chris Yelland hailed the news but cautioned that the country’s energy woes were far from resolved. He characterized the development as a band-aid rather than a long-term solution.
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Yelland stressed the critical need for new power plants to meet demand and have adequate reserve generation capacity.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with the repeated malfunctions of the Kusile units, despite the fact that they are still relatively young. It is unacceptable if half of the power plants are suffering problems after 15 years of construction.
Furthermore, Yelland stated that Kusile’s units do not fulfill all environmental regulations. Pollution control systems have been temporarily evaded, which would be prohibited under South Africa’s air pollution standards.
Eskom was granted an exemption, allowing it to continue operating the stations until a long-term solution could be found.
While South Africans may experience fewer power cuts during the festive season due to low demand, Yelland cautioned that a hot summer could impact power generation. Air-cooled power stations like Themba, Medupi, and Kusile have reduced generation capacity in hot weather.
Yelland concluded by stating that although it is unlikely, unplanned breakdowns could still affect the power supply during the festive season. He urged the completion of new power stations and the need for a comprehensive solution to South Africa’s electricity needs.
