Objectives

The primary objective is to upgrade Matimba Power Station’s emergency ash offloading facility to expand its storage capacity, prevent groundwater contamination, and ensure compliance with national environmental licensing conditions. The project aims to provide a reliable, environmentally compliant temporary ash disposal area during ash conveying system failures, while maintaining operational safety, structural integrity, and regulatory adherence.

Scope of Work

The contractor will deliver a complete design-and-construct solution, including:

• Design and construction of a 4,680 m² reinforced concrete slab (35 MPa) integrated with the existing 30 m × 30 m structure.
• Erection of a 35 MPa reinforced concrete retaining wall (maximum 4 m height, minimum 0.25 m thickness) with vehicle access ramps.
• Upgrading the stormwater management system, including silt-traps and drainage channels, to meet environmental discharge standards.
• Comprehensive earthworks: vegetation clearing, excavation, subgrade compaction, backfilling, and construction of a temporary lined surface.
• Installation of traffic management signage, safety guards, and protective encasement of existing underground services in 15 MPa concrete.
• Provision of all temporary facilities, construction plant, testing equipment, and commissioning support.
• Submission of full documentation, including as-built drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, data books, and KKS-coded asset labels.
• Site rehabilitation and removal of all temporary structures upon handover.

Technical Requirements

The project demands strict adherence to Eskom corporate standards and South African legislation. Key technical obligations include:

• Design & Engineering: All structural designs must be certified by an ECSA-registered professional civil engineer and comply with Eskom’s structural and drawing standards. Iterative design reviews and environmental authority approvals are mandatory before construction.
• Environmental Management: Full compliance with NEMA, NEMWA, and ISO 14001. Contractors must implement waste segregation, dust suppression, spill prevention, biodiversity protection, and asbestos risk protocols. An approved Environmental Management Plan and method statements are required prior to commencement.
• Health & Safety: Strict enforcement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Eskom Life-Saving Rules, and the Permit to Work system. Contractors assume Principal Contractor responsibilities under the Construction Regulations, requiring comprehensive risk assessments, fall protection plans, electrical safety protocols, and daily safety inductions.
• Quality & Documentation: Implementation of an ISO 9001-compliant quality system, including a Contract Quality Plan, inspection test plans, and hold/witness points. All materials require supplier warranties, factory acceptance testing, and independent laboratory verification.
• Planning & Scheduling: Development of a Microsoft Project-based programme using the Critical Path Method, with weekly updates, resource loading, and clear milestone tracking.
• Unusual/Complex Terms Explained:
  • NEC3 ECC Option A: A lump-sum contract where payment is made only upon completion of predefined activities listed in an Activity Schedule.
  • KKS Coding: The Kraftwerk-Kennzeichnung system used for unique alphanumeric identification of all plant components, drawings, and documentation.
  • ASGI-SA: Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa, mandating verified Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) compliance throughout the contract lifecycle.

Skills and Resource Requirements

The contractor must deploy highly qualified, registered professionals with proven industry experience:

• Project Manager/Construction Manager: SACPCMP registered with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in similar infrastructure projects.
• Professional Civil Engineer: ECSA registered with at least 7 years’ relevant design and construction oversight experience.
• Designer Site Representative/Supervisor: Minimum 5 years’ experience in civil/structural supervision.
• Safety Officer: SACPCMP registered as a Construction Health and Safety Officer with 5 years’ experience.
• Land Surveyor: SAGC registered with 5 years’ experience.

Subcontracting is permitted up to 30% of the contract value, provided subcontractors possess verified experience in affected control and instrumentation systems. All personnel must hold valid medical fitness certificates, police clearances, and complete Matimba Power Station’s security and safety inductions prior to site access. The site operates under National Key Point security protocols, requiring strict access control, tool registration, and prohibition of personal electronic devices without authorization.