Deputy Speaker, in adopting its strategic plan earlier this year, the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises identified Eskom's capacity expansion programme as one of the key focus areas for its oversight programme. In June the committee undertook an oversight visit to Eskom power stations, namely Medupi, Kusile and Duvha. Based on the committee's observation and interaction with Eskom's project management teams at all three power stations, we noted that the main power stations under construction were on track, and both projects were within schedule.
The first unit at Medupi is scheduled to be commissioned in 2013, whilst the last unit is scheduled for commissioning by 2015. On completion, this station will add to the national grid about 4 788 MW of capacity.
The same can be said of the construction of Kusile Power Station. The first unit is planned for commercial operation in 2014 and the last unit will be in commercial operation by 2018. On completion, Kusile Power Station will add about 4 800 MW to the national grid.
The Duvha Power Station was operating at full capacity, except for Unit 4, which was reported to have exploded and been partly decommissioned after it failed an over-speed limit test. The incident took place on 9 February 2011, but the committee was assured that the rebuilding process was under way in order to return the unit to service.
The committee noted the recent protest strike by workers at the construction site in Medupi, but is pleased that the matter was quickly resolved, before it got out of control. We, as the committee, are happy that order has been restored and that work has resumed.
The committee also met with Transnet's Second Defined Benefit Fund and was happy with the progress made so far.
The committee also met with South African Express, and it was less satisfied with their financial reporting system, following their withdrawal of the entity's 2010-11 financial report after it was tabled in Parliament. We support the action taken by the Minister to dissolve the board.
On behalf of the committee, I table this report for consideration by Parliament. I thank you.
There was no debate.