Politically connected Hitachi must pay penalties for delays
Hitachi Power Africa has failed to deliver on their contractual obligations to Eskom resulting in a 20-month schedule overrun and an additional R60 billion in the construction of boilers for Medupi and Kusile. The DA will be writing to the CEO of Eskom, Brian Dames, to insist that the appropriate penalty clauses are invoked in the contract with Hitachi Power Africa.
In 2007, Hitachi Power Africa was awarded the largest contract that Eskom has ever signed in its 86-year history worth an astronomical R38.5 billion. The subsidiary of Hitachi Power Europe GmbH was tasked with building the boilers at coal-fired power stations Medupi and Kusile.
At the time, a broad spectrum of analysts criticised the ANC led government for pushing the project forward because of the parties 25% stake in the venture through Chancellor House's partial ownership of Hitachi Power Africa. Reports at the time suggested that the ANC in-house investment firm stood to make a profit close to R1 Billion on the deal.
Since the announcement of the infamous contract, Hitachi Power Africa have seemingly reneged on their contractual obligations resulting in massive schedule and cost overruns.
Earlier this week, Eskom Financial Director, Paul O' Flaherty told members of the portfolio committee on Energy that the challenges that Eskom was experiencing in its power station programme was in part because of delays by Hitachi in meeting boiler delivery deadlines.