We Will Not Allow SOE’s To Fail, Says Ramaphosa

When I visited Medupi power station for the rst time two weeks ago, I was struck by how massive it is. It is one thing to be told in a briefing that, when completed, Medupi will be the fourth largest power stations of its kind in the world; but it is quite another thing to stand below its towering turbines.

In many ways, Medupi is a tting symbol of the importance of our state-owned enterprises. The cost of building the power station has escalated dramatically since it’s building started, it is behind schedule and – with ve of its six units now in commercial operation – it is not yet performing at the level it is expected to perform.

The problems with the construction of Medupi and its ‘twin’ Kusile account for much of the financial crisis at Eskom. There have been other factors, of course, not least of which