‘Eskom won’t replace Koeberg generators in 2018’
CONTRARY to its previous arguments, Eskom no longer plans to replace Koeberg nuclear plant’s steam generators in 2018, according to a representative of Westinghouse.
Westinghouse is contesting a R5 billion contract to replace Koeberg’s steam generators. Eskom awarded the contract to French energy group Areva, but Westinghouse argued that the whole tender process was unlawful because of alleged lack of proper compliance with the tender requirements.
Eskom announced yesterday that the precautionary suspension of Koeberg’s general manager and the plant manager “as a result of the distribution of documentation containing unauthorised facts and
Schussler, said the strike had not had a major effect on the economy yet, as petroleum companies had been able to supply fuel products.
“What we are seeing at the moment is the ‘hustle factor’ whereby in some cases motorists have to drive around a bit before finding fuel,” Schussler said.
“At the moment the guys assumptions relating to Koeberg’s Production Plan.
“The potential prejudice caused to Eskom by the unauthorised actions of the suspended personnel, is currently being assessed.”
Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said yesterday that “for some reason” the two senior managers shared a document with unauthorised facts with third parties. “We felt that was not procedural. We are talking about unapproved information that had been circulated within Eskom. The information had not been approved by the board.”
He declined to disclose the parties with whom the information was shared. “But it is people with an interest in the
who will feel the effect of the strike most are the workers who will not be able to pay their way come end of the month.”
He said the strike reinforced South Africa’s reputation for strikes that took too long. “I am not talking about the (2014) fivemonth strike in the platinum sector. Other countries also experience strikes but they do not take this long. Our strikes steam generator tender.”
Pointing to an affidavit filed at the Constitutional Court earlier this month, EE Publishers investigative editor Chris Yelland said there was no leak as the documents were in the public domain.
The affidavit was signed by Westinghouse customer accounts manager Frederik Wolvaart, and said Eskom had sent a letter, dated August 2, with details of the Koeberg output plan through to 2015. The letter was sent to Westinghouse as it was required for other contracts the company had with Eskom.
Wolvaart said Koeberg general manager Riedewaan Bakardien sent the letter, indicating that Eskom no longer planned
take weeks instead of days.
“(The length of the strikes) affects how local and international investors view the country. We need to get over that because we need investors to fight unemployment,” Schussler said.
Meanwhile, Eskom and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) were yesterday locked in talks in a bid to end to replace the generators.
The Supreme Court of Appeal ruled on December that Eskom should review the award after an “unlawful and procedurally unfair” decision by the utility.
Eskom had used the urgency of replacing the generators as part of its defence when awarding a deal to Westinghouse rival Areva in 2014. But Wolvaart argued in his affidavit that because Eskom postponed the replacement of the generators, it could not previously have tendered and would be in a position to fulfil the order should it be granted relief.
“Eskom and Areva can hardly dispute the contents of the letter – it having been authored by a representative of Eskom,” he said. – Siseko Njobeni and IOL
their wage increase dispute.
Despite a court interdict by the state-owned power utility, NUM members at Eskom went on strike yesterday.
The striking workers include staff at Eskom power stations.
“We are hopeful that by the end of the meeting we will be close to a resolution of the dispute,” Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said.