Plans to fast-track Coega power station

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has called for proposals from technical advisers to assist in the building of a gas-fired power station According to Percci, the CDC is investigating the feasibility of fast-tracking the Coega Power Station, which is to be located at the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ). The gas-fired power station will be rolled out in three phases with phase one contributing 800 Megawatts of electricity to the national grid. This is expected to come on stream in early 2011. Preliminary studies show that further phases of the project would entail expansion to 1600 Megawatts, 2400 Megawatts and possibly in phase three up to 3200MW by late 2012. The CDC is inviting capable and competent service providers to submit proposals for the provision of technical advisory services to assist in the process. The project is a culmination of almost six months of consultation with various players to partner with the CDC and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in bringing the plan to finality. The Coega IDZ, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and some parts of the Eastern Cape have been identified as high growth areas. This is based on the number of applications for power which Eskom has received and used to project demand for the next 20 years. The power utility is currently involved in a multi-pronged strategy to strengthen the supply of electricity to the region.