Eskom misleading the public over Areva tender
09 March 2016
Remarks by Eskom spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe, appear to be a blatant attempt to avoid having to implement a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) decision setting aside a tender awarded to Areva by Eskom for the construction of steam generators for Koeberg.
Phasiwe stated in January 2016 that the work on the generators is 50% complete and that it would not make sense to reissue the tender. Industry experts, however, have noted that this is highly unlikely given that construction only commenced about September last year.
The alleged progress made in the past 6 months is further at odds with Areva’s previous statements that they would not meet the 2018 deadline for completion of the generators if the contract award is delayed.
One can only deduce that Eskom is doing everything possible to avoid having to reopen tender process that landed Areva with the contract over the preferred bidder, Westinghouse, in a decision that was overturned by the SCA.