Eskom announced that bids for the construction of its nuclear power plant will be finalized during Q3 or Q4 2008. The company had planned on having bids finalized by mid-2008, but was unable to meet this target.
In the running for the construction of the plant are French nuclear group Areva and US-based nuclear company Westinghouse Electric. Construction on the power station is due to commence in 2010, with the first unit having a target date of 2016 for commercial start up.
The addition of the nuclear plant will aid
"The commercial processes around Nuclear 1 are still in progress. We expect these processes to be completed only later this year (3Q-4Q), at which time a decision on the preferred supplier will be made," Eskom senior manager for nuclear stake-holder management Tony Stott said.