Construction time again

For the first time in 15 years two new power plants are now to be built in

to meet the country’s increasing electricity demand.

Siemens Power Generation (PG) will supply seven gas turbines for these plants to the South African utility ESKOM. The value of the order for PG is approximately €230 million. The emissions from the two power plants will be lower than that required by the World Bank standards. The construction of further new power plants is anticipated in the next few years.

Around half of South Africa’s installed capacity of 40,000 MW was built in the 1980s. ESKOM, Africa’s largest utility, meets the majority of South Africa’s power demand. Up to now, the country has had overcapacities since the additional capacity exceeded the actual demand. As a result of the significant upturn in South Africa’s economy the surplus capacity has been exhausted. The power demand has in recent years increased on average by between four and six percent per annum.