3 days ago
Eskom engineers receiving training at India's leading power utility as part of MoU
Several Eskom engineers are currently being trained at National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) in India.
Image: Supplied
Several Eskom engineers are currently being trained at National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC), India's leading power utility, as part of a landmark partnership to help address critical infrastructure and maintenance challenges.
One of the major technical hurdles Eskom is addressing is the lack of fully functional flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) units, particularly at the Kusile Power Station. These systems are essential for reducing sulphur dioxide emissions and meeting South Africa's environmental regulations.
The absence or malfunction of these units has contributed to the loss of more than 2000 MW of power capacity in addition to elevated health and environmental risks.
Eskom's partnership with NTPC came from their efforts to look outside of the traditional technology partners.
NTPC was identified to help provide training and support, with their partnership focusing on knowledge exchange, technical support, and joint efforts in equipment maintenance and emissions management.
NTPC brings decades of experience in maintaining large-scale coal power stations and deploying desulphurisation technology. Their support is expected to bolster Eskom's capacity to improve plant performance, reduce outages, and enhance environmental compliance.
On 10 June 2024, NTPC was awarded an assignment for site assessment and technical audit of Kusile's FGD systems, and a training programme for FGD system operators was recommended.
High Commissioner of South Africa in India, Professor Anil Sooklal, highlighted that the partnership is more than just a technical collaboration, and is a bridge between two nations committed to sustainable energy solutions and mutual growth.
'On the energy front, like all our development challenges, we have similar challenges. As part of addressing these challenges, India is an important partner for us as they also have faced severe energy challenges in past, and they've become electricity self-sufficient more recently.'
Several Eskom engineers are currently being trained at National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) in India.
Image: Supplied
Sooklal said he believes this is one of the reasons why the country turns to India for the challenges we are undergoing, and sees if we could draw lessons from them.
'Also, we could get assistance in sharing technical experience and expertise. That is why Eskom has been having interaction with NTPC.'
He added that, like South Africa, India is still highly dependent on fossil fuels for electricity generation, and there is a great similarity in the architecture of their power stations.
The MoU partnership between NTPC and Eskom was initially signed by both companies on 28 November 2024 at Matla Urja Energy Conference, Johannesburg.
It was agreed that four groups, each comprising eight Eskom professionals, would undergo structured training on FGD operation and maintenance at NTPC Vindhyachal Power Station and Power Management Institute (PMI), NOIDA, India.
The training programme spans 52 weeks in total, with each batch receiving between 13 weeks of hands-on and classroom training. The first batch began training on 12 May 2025 at NTPC Vindhyachal, and the program is currently underway.
During the conference in November, Eskom CEO Dan Marokane said: 'NTPC and Eskom are both state utilities with vast operational experience. There is much that we can learn from each other.
'Like South Africa, India has been running coal operations for many years, and I think if we come together, we can really make magic in terms of performance on both sides.'
Sooklal said the significance of the partnership lies in on-the-job training.
'There are basically three dimensions to this MoU - the first is training and further capacitating our senior engineers through this cause.
'Secondly, one of the major challenges our power stations face when we have breakdown is availability of spare parts, and of course India has over the years developed an extensive ecosystem manufacturing these spare parts, so they will also be able now to provide South Africa immediately with the spares required,' Sooklal said.
'Thirdly, we're also looking at how we can cooperate and benefit mutually from each other's experience in our transition to green energy.'
He said both countries' willingness to collaborate is underpinned by the strong bilateral relationship, 'and that is why we turn to a country like India to assist us in this area'.
