DATE OF SUBMISSION: 10 DECEMBER 2010
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
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QUESTION 388
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
388. Mr K A Sinclair (COPE-NC) to ask the Minister of Energy:
Whether any of the existing coal-fired power stations are due to be retired
between 2020 and 2030; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
(a) which power station(s) and (b) what plans are in place to provide for
new power stations? CW494E
Answer
a) Arnot, Hendrina and Kriel power stations are due for retirement between
2020 and 2030 and this equates to approximately 7 000 MW of generating
plant. Hendrina Power Station is expected to be the first power station
to be decommissioned of the current coal plants. The decommissioning of
the first unit is scheduled to take place in 2022.The decision on a
potential extension of the life on Hendrina has not yet been made, but
will have to be made in the near future. When making this decision, due
consideration has to be given to primary energy supply, plant condition
environment management, climate change impact, efficiency and system
constraints.
b) The draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2010, has assumed that Eskomâs
current generation fleet will be decommissioned after 50 years of life.
The IRP therefore caters for the provision of new generation capacity to
replace the decommissioned fleet. Nearly 52GW of the new capacity is
required by 2030 in order to meet the forecasted demand for electricity,
replace decommissioned power stations and provide an adequate reserve
margin. This includes the current committed build programme.