Majuba to Eskom’s rescue, temporary fix adds 1 800mW to grid

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 19 (Reuters) – Emergency repairs to the Majuba power station in South Africa have added around 1,800 megawatts to the grid, reducing the need for controlled power outages, a spokesman for state-run electricity utility Eskom said on Thursday.

"We are using mobile feeders to deliver the coal to the units at Majuba. They are basically temporary conveyer belts," spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said.

A silo at Majuba collapsed last year, triggering a wave of rolling blackouts that disrupted business and infuriated the public in Africa's most advanced economy.

Phasiwe said the repairs to Majuba and other units were the main reason why Eskom has not had to implement controlled outages, known locally as "load shedding", so far this week.

Majuba is now able to generate around 3,000 megawatts, compared to the 1,200 it was producing after the collapse, he added.

South Africa's power system remains extremely constrained as Eskom scrambles to carry out maintenance on its aging fleet and bring new power stations online.

The controlled outages are needed to prevent demand from exceeding supply, a scenario that could overwhelm the national grid and spark a total blackout that could last for weeks.

Public Enterprises minister Lynne Brown, who announced the repairs to Majuba on Wednesday, said the plant was now able to provide full power during the morning and evening peaks. – REUTERS