Last week, Eskom announced that Kusile Power Station’s unit one attained full load, accomplishing yet another key highlight in the power stations history
Currently, Kusile Power Station’s unit one is in the last phase of the combustion optimization phase. Achieving full load means running the unit at the full design and operating competence. According to the utility, this is followed by the combustion optimization process to support the initial full load.
For Kusile unit one, the full load-generating capacity is 800MW. Kusile unit one going to full load is just one more stride closer to the final goal of the commercial operation.
The Kusile power station project, which is located near the existing Kendal power station, in the Nkangala district of Mpumalanga, will comprise six units, each rated at an 800MW installed capacity for a total capacity of four 800MW. Once completed, Kusile will be the fourth-largest coal-fired power station in the world.
The Kusile project will include a power station precinct, power station buildings, administrative buildings (control buildings and buildings for medical and security purposes), roads and a high-voltage yard.
The operational life of the power station is expected to be 60 years. According to Eskom, they have indicated that the first synchronisation of Kusile unit one is now scheduled for the first half of 2017, with the 800 MW unit expected to enter commercial operations only in the second half of 2017.
