Power crisis takes dark turn

The station's Unit Three has been feeding 110mw into the national grid for five months, representing the country's sole local source of base-load power. The other sources are 160mw emergency diesel power plants located in Orapa and Matshelagabedi.

Morupule B Units One and Two were commissioned last year but quickly developed technical problems which are currently being repaired. Unit One was taken off-stream on January 15, 2013 after developing cracks in its primary and secondary air ducts. It is expected to be back in service by month-end. Unit Two has been out of service since January 16 due to repairs. BPC says in an update given to coal and energy stakeholders last week that it will start working again "sometime in May/June 2013".