India to Supply Powerplant Control Room Simulator to Eskom for Enhanced Training Initiatives

India has announced plans to supply Eskom, South Africa's state-owned electricity provider, with a Powerplant Control Room simulator. This initiative aims to support Eskom's efforts to renew and repurpose its power stations. The announcement followed a meeting between Indian energy companies and Eskom executives at the Urja Matla Energy Conference, organised by the Indian Consulate General and Wits Business School.

Harish Kumar, from the Indian Consulate in Johannesburg, stated that India is committed to assisting Eskom in modernising its infrastructure. This includes providing advanced systems through supercritical and ultra-supercritical sets, emission control, and the latest transmission technologies. "Also, we would be willing to provide a simulator of Powerplant Control Room to train the local manpower of Eskom in the operation of power plants," Kumar noted.

Training and Collaboration

The simulator will be housed at Wits Business School, where the National Power Training Institute and NTPC will train trainers as per an MoU between NTPC and Eskom. Kumar mentioned that installation would proceed once Eskom specifies the required simulator rating. Previously, the consulate facilitated the MoU signing between NTPC and Eskom.

Radhakrishnan Sarangapani from NTPC elaborated on the MoU's objectives. He explained that discussions began when Eskom's team visited an NTPC plant. Upon returning, they implemented practices and agreed on a framework for collaboration. "The idea is mutual cooperation and helping South African plants increase their efficiency through the expertise of NTPC," Sarangapani said.

Mutual Benefits

Sarangapani highlighted that NTPC offers a range of services under this MoU. The NTCP team visited an Eskom plant before returning to India to identify specific cooperation areas. The MoU focuses on mutual cooperation in renovating and modernising Eskom's power plants. It also includes joint efforts in renewable energy development.

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane emphasised the importance of collaboration between NTPC and Eskom, both experienced state utilities. "We can learn between the two of us and what we've got to do is collaborate to improve our performances as a utility," Marokane stated. He also mentioned addressing global shifts away from coal-fired power stations together.

Marokane acknowledged the need for responsible emission reduction while exploring technologies for sustainable coal use. "Reducing emissions is a responsible thing to do, but we want to explore technologies for allowing us to use coal for longer in a responsible manner," he said. He expressed optimism about enhancing performance through collaboration with India.

Earlier at the conference, an agreement was reached between N and Wits Business School's Africa Energy Leadership Centre. They plan to sign an MoU focused on skilling youth in renewable energy, data analytics, transmission, and distribution sectors.

Eskom's medium-term strategy involves engaging communities around power stations in green energy projects. These include agriculture initiatives and producing bricks from ash waste at coal-fired stations.