Eskom to close Power stations.
Detailed timelines for the power station closures will be announced at a later stage.
The news that Eskom has taken a decision to close down four power stations in Mpumalanga was greeted with shock and disbelief by many.
The news was however confirmed by Eskom spokesman Mr Khulu Phasiwe who in answer to a query by the Highvelder, said that Eskom had identified four power stations for gradual or phased-in decommissioning over the next 10 years.
The power stations are Komati, Kriel, Hendrina and of special significance to Ermelo, the Camden Power Station.
The Camden power station was refurbished and gradually re-commissioned into service between 2005 and 2008 after being closed down and mothballed in 1990.
Giving impetus to Tuesday’s announcement, Phasiwe said two of the six units at the Komati power station had already been closed.
It is believed that the Hendrina Station could be closed as early as December 2018.
Phasiwe said the stations will be phased out to make space for new generating capacity for the renewable energy projects as part of South Africa’s vision of having an energy mix, comprising renewables, coal, nuclear, gas, biomass and others.
He also stated that low electricity demand due to slow economic growth had also contributed to Eskom’s decision to gradually close down these power stations.
The decision to close the power stations was taken by Eskom management last year
Detailed timelines for the power station closures will be announced at a later stage.
