Richards Bay – Electricity Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has visited the groundbreaking Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, which will have a capacity of 3 000 megawatts when completed.
The planned gas-fired power plant – CCPP) – will include open-cycle gas turbines and combined-cycle gas turbines.
Electricity Minister Ramokgopa on Friday visited CCPP, the first of its kind in South Africa.
The plant, located in the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), will have a maximum capacity of 3 000 megawatts.
This gas-to-power project will be a game changer in addressing South Africa’s electricity challenges by offering a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable energy solution.
The introduction of gas-to-power projects will help diversify the country’s energy mix, reducing reliance on coal and promoting cleaner energy sources.
Minister Ramokgopa was joined by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, and Economic Development MEC Siboniso Duma.
Earlier this week, Minister Ramokgopa stated that the end of load-shedding was “within touching distance”.
His remarks coincided with Eskom achieving more than a month without load-shedding.
Eskom announced that it achieved an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 65.5% on Wednesday.
The minister said the achievement marked a significant milestone in resolving the energy deficit.
“With the proven success of this performance, the focus now shifts to maintaining and enhancing it,” said Minister Ramokgopa.
“The return of Medupi Unit 4 (800MW), Koeberg Unit 2 (980MW), and the synchronisation of Kusile Unit 6 (800MW), a total of 2 580MW in the next 6 months, is a welcomed addition to generation capacity.”
“These orchestrated improvements and new capacity means that we have breached peak load-shedding.”
The state-incentivised rooftop solar rollout was expected to reach an installed capacity of 6 000MW by the end of this year.
“We have indeed turned the corner, the ending of load-shedding is within touching distance,” Minister Ramokgopa declared.
*Photos: GCIS
