DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 1971
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08 August 2013
1971 Mr PJ Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) Who is the contractor who performed welding of inferior quality on the
boilers at the Medupi power plant?
(2) Whether any continuous inspections of the welding on the boilers was
done by (a) Eskom and (b) Hitachi; if not, why not; if so, why was the
inferior quality of the welding not addressed.
(3) What steps have been or are being taken against the contractor who
produced welding of inferior quality?
(4) When will the Medupi power plant be operational for the first output of
electricity?
(5)Whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
According to Eskom:
1) It concluded a contract with Hitachi Power Africa and Hitachi Power
Europe GmbH for the execution of boiler works at the Medupi Power
Station.
(2)(a) There are regular on and off-site inspections. Hitachi appointed a
Third Party Inspectorate, which undertakes the inspections on and off-site
in order to ensure compliance with specifications and relevant codes.
The off-site inspections are carried out by an Approved Inspection
Authority (AIA). The defects in the off-site procedures were detected
after the witnessing and approval of procedures by an AIA
The on-site inspections are conducted by TUV as stated above, and by Eskom
directly. Various tests are conducted from time to time for purposes of
determining the quality of the works carried out.
Hitachi is responsible for the execution of the boiler works as stipulated
in the contract. Notwithstanding that certain works are carried out by sub-
contractors, Hitachi remains responsible for ensuring compliance with the
terms of the contract. Ensuring compliance with the contract would
necessitate inspection of the works carried out.
(2)(b) The matter of the inferior quality of welding is being addressed.
The issue of welding without an approved welding procedure was identified
by TUV and Eskom representatives. A Notice of Defect was issued by Eskom
and a non-conformance report was issued by the Third Party Inspectorate.
Further, Hitachi has provided written commitment that the welding issues
identified will be addressed expeditiously without causing further delays
to the original date of December 2013.
(3) Eskom has contractual remedies against Hitachi under the contract (who
in turn may have recourse against its sub-contractors under the relevant
sub-contract agreements). These remedies are being pursued and include
issuing a Notice of Defect and possible claims for damages.
(4) The synchronisation of Unit 6 is expected in the second half of 2014.
(5) No statement will be made.