Pics: Medupi power station is open

Published Aug 31, 2015

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President Jacob Zuma opened South Africa's first new power plant in 20 years on Sunday with a warning that the country's perennial energy shortages were hampering economic growth.

Construction on the six-unit, 4 764 MW Medupi plant near Lephalale, about 350km north of Johannesburg, was started in 2007 but the first 794 megawatts (MW) only came online this week after delays due to strikes, technical issues and cost overruns.

The state-owned power utility Eskom is facing its worst crisis as it struggles to stem power shortages.

REUTERS

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