2.1.1. Overview of the Medupi project The Medupi coal power station is the largest construction project in the southern hemisphere. There are 38 contract packages, more than 300 contractors and subcontractors and the project was valued at R105bn. There are six coal power generating units (800 MW each), which will produce total generating capacity of 4,800 MW. The plant will have greater efficiency than existing Eskom power plants and will be the largest dry-cooled coal power station in the world. Eskom has stated that the first boiler will only be ready to produce energy to the grid by the second half of 2014, but those working on the Medupi project were still pushing for the December 2013 deadline. The commercial operational date is usually 3-6 months after the boiler is completed, for synchronisation to be completed. The Mokolo dam from the Crocodile River will initially supply Medupi with its water requirements. A number of issues were reiterated as being the major technical challenges to completing the project on time, including technical challenges.