Eskom makes back-up plans for World Cup
By Colleen Dardagan
Imported electricity, a wind farm and privately owned generators are all part of Eskom's plan to keep the lights on during the 2010 World Cup.
Johnny Dladla, head of Eskom's 2010 task team, told municipal and industry representatives at a meeting held in Johannesburg earlier this week that 2 000 more megawatts of electricity were required for the event.
"We are looking to the Southern African Development Community countries on the integrated grid - we hope to import 700MW from this source. Power from the new wind station in the Western Cape will be used to make up the shortfall. We are also looking at the feasibility of using business-owned generators to power street lights to lighten the demand at peak periods."
'We have to be concerned because progress is being hampered'
Dladla confirmed that load shedding would still be a way of life come 2010.
"We will not have finished our upgrades, so we are looking at alternative ways to ensure a constant supply of electricity during the event. It also needs to be remembered that the tournament is taking place during winter - but most of the games are being played in the evening, which is during off-peak hours.
"However, we are aware that fans will want to party afterwards, so there will be an extended demand. Once we have a finalised tournament schedule from Fifa, we will be able to look at the demand more closely."
Spokesperson for 2010 projects in Cape Town, Pieter Cronje, said that the city was not concerned about electricity shortages during the event but, rather, how load shedding would affect deadlines in the lead up to the event.
"Fifa requires each stadium to have ample back-up power during the World Cup," said Cronje. "Our concern is that load shedding must be minimised during the development phase to ensure critical deadlines are met. While there has been no direct affect on construction, one of our suppliers was unable to supply cast seating on time because of power cuts."
Co-ordinator for 2010 projects in Nelspruit, Differ Mogale, said the Mbombela Stadium construction site had suffered power cuts for the whole of last week.
"We have to be concerned because progress is being hampered. We have been without power almost every day since last week - there is nothing we can do, it has to be dealt with nationally and at government level," said Mogale.
Head of strategic planning at the eThekwini Municipality, Julie-May Ellingson, said that host cities should be more involved with load shedding decision-making processes.
"Eskom gave us a broad presentation on its plans last year, but we are yet to be briefed on the detail," she said. "It's not only the power supply to the stadium we are concerned about, but the whole value chain. The knock-on effect is worrying. Besides the stadium, we have a number of projects on the go that are critical to Durban's ability to host a successful World Cup."
Ellingson called for an urgent meeting with Eskom.
"We have raised the issue with both Eskom and the 2010 local organising committee, but it is critical to get together and deal with the matter proactively. We believe all the host cities should be consulted collectively. Particular attention should be given to communication with our technical staff - they are being kept in the dark," she said.
Group Five spokesperson Craig Jessop said load shedding had not affected progress at Durban's R2,6-million Moses Mabhida Stadium.
"However, we are concerned and have taken proactive steps to ensure our power supply is maintained through the use of generators - which is far more costly than electricity. We are also engaging with our suppliers and subcontractors about the affect load shedding may have on them and how we can find solutions to any problems that may arise."
Natal Portland Cement's Pieter Strauss - the main supplier of cement for Durban's stadium - said his concern was not only about meeting the demand on 2010 projects, but for all their customers. "Cement production is totally reliant on electricity and generators cannot be used to power our plants. We are already in consultation with Eskom because while demand is low at the moment and we are comfortably meeting our orders, we are worried about what will happen in a month's time when demand starts to pick up."
Barbara Jensen, spokesperson for the Gautrain construction - another project on deadline for the World Cup - said the issue of load shedding needed more discussion.
"We have generators on all our 43 construction sites and are pulling electricity from 19 substations, which means work hasn't come to a standstill, but it has affected progress.
"Our main concern is the tunnel-boring machine making its way underground from Rosebank towards Park Station - it needs a constant supply of electricity and it uses a lot of power. So we are in discussion with Eskom to try and resolve the matter," she said.
Eskom's Johnny Dladla said they were yet to announce any plans to assist key 2010 projects.
"We will work with industry and municipalities to solve the problems. We are looking at ways of sorting out the short-term problems," he said.
