South Africa is entitled to an explanation on Medupi
On Sunday the Democratic Alliance (DA) released confidential internal Eskom documents which showed what appears to be an array of disturbing irregularities in the planning of Eskom's new Medupi power plant in Limpopo. We have today written to Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga, urging that he responds to the concerns that we raised. A copy of that letter follows below.
LETTER TO JACOB MAROGA, CEO OF ESKOM:
29 September 2009
Jacob Maroga
Eskom CEO
Postal address:
PO Box 1091
Johannesburg
2001
Dear Mr. Maroga,
South Africa is entitled to an explanation on Medupi water problems
On Sunday the Democratic Alliance (DA) released internal confidential Eskom correspondence which revealed that no clear plan has been formulated to deal with the very serious water shortage problem at the new Medupi power plant in Limpopo. This in and of itself necessitates an immediate and clear response from Eskom. I have enclosed a full copy of our statement, along with the attached documents and memos, for your perusal.
In particular, we need to know:
- Whether Eskom is aware that the projected future water needs for the area following completion of Medupi could be up to 500% of the current usage level. If so, what plans does Eskom have in place to deal with this?
- Whether Eskom is aware that its plan to reroute water via Hartebeestpoort Dam constitutes a possible threat to that dam. If so, what alternative plans are being drafted?
- Whether Eskom is aware of the fact that its contingency plan of using pumped borehole water has been deemed by an expert to be insufficient. If so, what alternative contingency measures are being planned?
We would like an urgent explanation of what Eskom is planning to do about these issues.
Yours sincerely,
Cobus Schmidt, MP
Statement issued by Cobus Schmidt, MP, Democratic Alliance deputy shadow minister of energy, September 29 2009
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