President Jacob Zuma will unveil the Hydrostatic Pressure Test for Unit 6 at Medupi Power Station, Limpopo province.
The event is an important milestone in South Africa’s electricity infrastructure build programme as it marks a step towards completing the first unit of Medupi power station. Medupi is an important cornerstone of the infrastructure expansion programme announced by President Zuma during the State of the Nation Address. The test is meant to ensure that the boiler is fully functional and ready to start generating electricity for South Africa’s national grid. Medupi is due to deliver first power to the grid at the end of 2013.
Hydrostatic Pressure Test is the most common statutory requirement in which newly manufactured equipments and pressure vessels such as pipelines and boilers are tested to ensure the integrity and maintain safety standards. The hydrostatic pressure test is conducted in the presence of the client and an independent inspection authority.
The Medupi Power Station will be the fourth largest coal plant in the world, and will be the biggest dry-cooled power station in the world. The boiler and turbine contracts for Medupi are the largest contracts that Eskom has ever signed in its 87-year history. The planned operational life of the station is 50 years.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Friday, 8 June 2012
Time: 9h00
Venue: Medupi Power Station, Lephalale, Limpopo province
Media wishing to cover this ceremony are requested to send a RSVP:
Hlomani Baloyi
SMS: 083 276 1295
E-mail: hlomani@po.gov.za
Enquiries:
Zanele Mngadi
Cell: 082 330 1148
E-mail: zanele@po.gov.za
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
E-mail: bonganim@po.gov.za
