UThukela Mayor Dudu Mazibuko, accompanied by Councillor Mazibuko, set out on her biannual site visit to the Ingula Project recently. The tour was preceded by a presentation and deliberations on socio-economic development initiatives within the new build site. The order of proceedings were: a welcome address by the project executive, a project overview presentation, and then the delegation attended a safety induction prior to being driven to the main-underground works, inside the majestic ‘rhino horn’ mountain.
Once safely underground, the delegation was escorted to the following key construction areas: Machine Hall-East, Bottom Incline, Machine Hall, Tail-Race Outlet and Generator Transformer Unit 3. Importantly, Unit 3 was the main focus of the visit because it is the first unit that will be commissioned on-site. Thereafter, the delegation proceeded to the emergency power building to view the diesel generators. The importance of the hot commissioned diesel generators was pointed out to all and they can be used in the event of powerhouse flooding, fire or when the tail-race tunnel is de-watered. The alternative source of power is from the 22KV network standby transformer or the distribution system.
During the failure of the network standby transformer, the two emergency standby diesel generators are used to restore power to the station. They will be utilised in the event of the loss of the primary power supply to the station’s auxiliary electrical power distribution system.
Mayor Mazibuko said that, “Today, we have impressive construction progress in this project. The hot commissioning of the diesel generators is also a massive milestone for the project and not long ago, Eskom, in partnership with SANAC, hosted us during the HCT campaign – an event wherein various health tests were conducted, including screening tests not only for HIV but also for sugar diabetes. The Ingula Project is an indicator of Eskom’s commitment to both construction and socio-economic development imperatives.”
