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Eskom ready to power Cup

Johannesburg – Electricity parastatal Eskom is ready to power the FIFA World Cup, its acting chairperson Mpho Makwana said on Wednesday.

"We have been working on readiness since mid 2007," he told the parastatal's results presentation in Johannesburg.

An increase of only 275 megawatts was expected during the tournament, based on studies conducted in Germany during the last World Cup.

Eskom expected a demand of 37.2 gigawatts due to winter consumption patterns.

"Our current forecast indicates that we will have sufficient generation capacity over this period. If required, we can run our open cycle gas turbines that are used as contingencies, and we have voluntary participation of key industrial customers to reduce demand over the period."

Makwana said Eskom had agreed with its Southern African power pool partners to increase imports and decrease exports during the soccer tournament if required.

"Only critical maintenance will take place over the period of the World Cup."

Internal audits and simulations to test readiness for the event had been carried out. An independent review conducted by the Korean Electricity Power Corporation that hosted the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan had shown Eskom was ready for the event.

Makwana said the joint portfolio committee of sports and recreation and public enterprises had confirmed municipalities and Eskom were ready to ensure the World Cup took place "without any major incidents".
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