Despite all the discussions surrounding Eskom’s financial stability and tariff hearings, South Africa’s state-owned utility has awarded a $122.6 million contract to Alstom for the automation of the Kusile thermal power plant.
Alstom Power will engineer, supply and install its latest ALSPA Series 6 Distributed Control System that will help Eskom maximize its fleet’s efficiency and stabilize the system by enabling real-time information exchange between baseload and renewable energy power plants.
“Eskom is rising to the challenge of meeting South Africa’s growing power needs as the country continues to industrialize while simultaneously meeting the energy security challenges of the 21st century. Our integrated power control solutions will allow them to manage their assets more efficiently and with added flexibility,” said Laurent Demortier, Senior Vice President of Alstom Power’s Energy Management Business.
Alternative Energy Africa reported in October that Eskom might consider delaying the Kusile plant (Eskom’s Decision: Postpone Kusile or Continue) – appears that Eskom did in fact decide to stay on track with the project.