8.2-run-until-2025-9-5df4b1fb86c8178c.pdf

The Hendrina Power Station Consolidated Life-ex Report provides a detailed technical assessment of the remaining operational life of various plant components across ten units, aiming for a life extension to 2025. The report identifies critical degradation in electrical motors, MV cables, and certain boiler and turbine components, while noting that civil structures are generally in good condition. It emphasizes that achieving the 2025 target requires significant targeted replacements, improved maintenance, and the construction of a new ash dam.

• The plant's overall operation until 2025 is contingent on the construction of a new ash dam. The existing dam complex has a remaining storage capacity of 15.74 million m³, and Ash Dam 6 must be commissioned by mid-2018 to meet the 2025 objective, although other Eskom studies suggest 2022 may be sufficient.
• A significant portion of the electrical infrastructure is beyond its economic or design life. Original unit-plant related LV motors are considered uneconomical to operate and require immediate replacement. Similarly, the entire measurement and metering system is viewed as beyond end of life according to manufacturer and Eskom norms.
• Medium Voltage (MV) motors are generally not expected to provide reliable operation until 2025, with the possible exceptions of CEP and ash water return pump motors. High-risk motors prioritized for replacement include ID fan, EFP, PA fan, ash pump, FD fan, and CW pump motors.
• The MV cable network shows significant mechanical degradation. While 78% of PILCSWA cables exhibit level 2 ageing, over 50% have aged to above level 3 mechanically, which is expected to increase the failure frequency as the plant operates toward 2025.
• Generator reliability is high-risk due to the ageing of stators, auxiliary systems, and excitation systems. The report notes that no other units of the same FHWS AEG design are currently operated in base load mode globally due to these risks, with similar units in Germany and Denmark used only as backup.
• Civil structures, including the boiler house, turbine hall, and cooling towers, are generally in good condition and can be maintained beyond 2025 with routine maintenance and specific repairs. Key issues include severe roof leaks, Q-deck defects, and the need for lining raw water dams to comply with the National Water Act.
• For the boiler plant (Units 1-5) to reach 2025, specific replacements are recommended, including all economiser elements and all primary superheater elements (with tube thickness increased to 6 mm to achieve a 12-year lifetime).

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). 8.2-run-until-2025-9-5df4b1fb86c8178c.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/8.2-Run-Until-2025-9.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. 8.2-run-until-2025-9-5df4b1fb86c8178c.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/8.2-Run-Until-2025-9.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=8.2-run-until-2025-9-5df4b1fb86c8178c.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/8.2-Run-Until-2025-9.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsnd82rununtil202595df4b1fb86c8178cpdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{8.2-run-until-2025-9-5df4b1fb86c8178c.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/8.2-Run-Until-2025-9.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }