Sekoko plans CTL plant, power station in Waterberg
By: Esmarie Swanepoel
Published on 28th October 2008
miningweekly.com
JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) - Sekoko Energy, part of the black-owned mining and energy company Sekoko Resources, was investigating the possibility of developing a coal-to-liquids (CTL) plant in the Waterberg region, its chairperson said on Tuesday.
Sekoko Energy has more than four-billon tons of indicated coal reserves in the Waterberg region of South Africa.
Sekoko Resources executive chairperson Tim Tebeila stated that the initial production for the CTL plant would be an estimated 6 000 barrels a day, and that the plant would come online around 2016.
Sekoko Energy has also been short-listed as one of the 27 companies that prequalified for State-owned power utility Eskom’s independent power producer (IPP) programme.
Tebeila stated that Sekoko was confident that it would submit a successful bid to Eskom as it had sufficient appropriate coal reserves to provide fuel to both the power station and the CTL plant.
Sekoko had proposed a 3 x 600 MW power station for Eskom’s IPP project, which was within close proximity of Eskom’s existing Matimba, as well as the new Medupi power stations. This would provide the proposed plant with the benefits of an existing electricity grid to connect to, in order to distribute electricity.
Sekoko’s multinational partners would also provide funding, power station technology units, IPP construction, and limited operation in order to transfer skills.
“Sekoko multinational partners are reputable and well experienced international power producers that have developed world-class and affordable power generation globally, in an environmentally considered manner that includes carbon emission reduction strategies.”
Tebeila noted that the partnership was well equipped to deliver, install and commission a 600 MW unit, within a 36-month period, including the necessary environmental impact assessments.
The bid submission was due in May 2009, and Eskom would announce the successful tenders by 2010. |
