Plant to fully function by 2023
Finally, there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel at Morupule B Power Plant.
Remedial work on the plant’s Unit 4, which started back in June 2019, is nearing completion, with the unit expected to be fully functional by the end of April.
The remaining three units are forecast to be refurbished and up-and-running by 2023, at which time the plant will have the capacity to provide 600 Megawatts (MW) a day.
Briefing members of the media recently, BPC Chairperson, Professor Oboetswe Motsamai revealed all boiler re-construction work at Unit 4 is complete and awaiting commissioning.
Motsamai explained the remedial works were instigated to address chronic boiler failures at Morupule B, arising from construction and equipment defects that rendered the plant unfit for purpose.
Switching focus to Morupule A, the BPC Chair announced refurbishment at the plant was successfully completed, with the power-station now generating 100MW a day.
The restoration project was initiated due to plant degradation following 27 years of operation.
“The Morupule A refurbishment is in its defects liability stage during which period construction and construction defects will be remedied under warranty by the contractor which ends in December 2021,” said Motsamai, speaking during the unveiling of BPC’s new Chief Officer, David Kgoboko.
According to Motsamai, BPC anticipates the refurbished plant will provide reliable power over the next seven years before requiring further ‘significant investment’.
As part of its Masa 2020 Strategy, which sought to achieve an energy mix, the BPC Board Chairperson said there has been progressing on the power utility’s 12 Grid Tied Solar Projects.
He revealed two sites have been awarded, with a further four recently approved by the board.
“Another tender will be floated for the remaining sites as there were no suitable bidders that could be identified from the said tender process,” he said, adding BPC has already started the review of its MASA 2020 Strategy, a five-year plan implemented in April 2016 and due to come to an end next month.
“The Corporation has commenced the review of MASA 2020 with the objectives of developing a successor Strategy for the period 2021-2026 which should see the Corporation financially viable and delivering reliable service to customers in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner.”
He said the main focus areas for the strategy will include: financial turnaround, service delivery, energy efficiency, organizational efficiency, and safe working culture.