This report evaluates the business plan at Eskom's Matla power station by comparing it to grounded theory to establish whether the strategies selected prepare the station to be competitive in a commercialised environment. It is assumed that the key success factors in a commercialised environment would be low cost operation and service delivery to meet customer demands. It is shown that the business plan is deficient in many regards, but the strategies selected are adequate in preparing the station for operation in a commercial environment. A questionnaire is used to determine management buy-in to the strategies selected to gauge support for the strategies. Reasons for strategies not meeting all objectives are also looked at and recommendations are made to improve· the business plan and the implementation of the strategies selected. The question of whether the strategies support corporate strategy is answered by comparing the vision, mission and strategies selected by the station to the vision and mission of Eskom Holdings and Eskom Generation. The findings here were that, although long and awkward, the mission statement supports corporate mission, while the vision contradicts corporate vision. Matla's vision supports growth through diversification while Eskom Holdings and Eskom Generation focus on core business. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

Leadership styles have been shown to have an impact on the success or failure of projects in organizations. Effective leadership is therefore required by organizations to ensure the successful delivery of projects. The study aimed at investigating the leadership styles utilized by women project managers in the Eskom Enterprise Division and possible barriers that prevent them from reaching top positions. The study utilized leadership theories as the theoretical framework and used the qualitative research approach. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 female project managers in Eskom Enterprise Division and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Certain leadership styles and characteristics were identified as being critical for successful project managers. The characteristics that these women project managers exhibit described qualities of transformational, democratic and people oriented leadership styles. The women project managers seem to be successful and there were a number of factors that contributed to their success. The female project managers did not believe that gender should determine their leadership style, but they believed that working as a project manager required certain leadership skills and competencies to meet the project’s objectives and the leadership style was not influenced by gender. Some of the barriers identified were: gender stereotyping, lack of qualifications, fear of not succeeding, family responsibilities and lack of networking skills and time. Most of the women believe that breaking some of the barriers requires that they should work twice as hard as their male counterparts, and that they should prove wrong the stereotype that men are better project managers. Furthermore, the findings show that Eskom has few women occupying top management positions. Eskom is still a male dominated environment even though initiatives for gender transformation exist. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

The word 'mentor' is derived from the character Mentor who, according to Greek mythology, was the trusted counsellor ofOdysseus, under whose disguise Athena became the guardian and teacher of Telemachus (Great Illustrated Dictionary. 1984). In today's world changes are taking place at a rapid rate. In addition, the increasing complexity of the working environment has made it necessary that employees have a role model, teacher, coach and trusted counsellor to assist them in coping with these changes. Mentoring has become essential to the development of new and experienced staff and the enhancement of their performance in a challenging environment. This study evaluates the skills needed for a mentor, mentee and organisation to be successful in a mentoring program. In the first section of this document, problems regarding the shortages of power supply currently experienced in South Africa will be clarified. These problems are aggravated by a shortage of skills in the project environment. Mentoring may be a possible solution in the management of this problem. In the second section, a literature study which was conducted to determine which skills are necessary for a successful mentee-mentor relationship, will be discussed. Mentoring can only succeed if a good relationship exists between the mentor and mentee. The two developmental areas upon which mentoring can have the greatest impact on employees in organisations are the career development- and skills development areas. In the third section a case study initiative will be described which involves the implementation of a mentor-mentee relationship in a Project environment. This case study pays specific attention to the effect which certain skills have on the success of a mentor-mentee relationship. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

The continual increase in electrical energy demand in South Africa has resulted in a precariously low reserve margin in supply from the primary utility, Eskom. This resulted in extensive load shedding throughout the country. Far-reaching measures had to be introduced in order to ensure a reliable supply of electricity. DSM interventions were shown to be very successful short term solutions for the mining industry, reducing the strain on the national grid. This resulted in an increasing number of investigations to broaden the base of DSM projects to other industries. One such intervention was the Usutu-Vaal water distribution scheme, situated near Standerton, South Africa. This scheme includes the Grootdraai, Tutuka, Grootfontein, Rietfontein and Naauwpoort pumping stations. With a combined installed capacity of 36.5MW and the extremely large water storage capacities, these pump stations have been identified as prime candidates for DSM interventions. This dissertation discusses the method followed for a DSM project intervention and the results of the implementation. The national grid was relieved by an average of 12.3 MW during the Eskom weekday peak period, by shifting the pumping load into the off-peak periods. Simulations have shown that an annual financial saving of approximately R4.7million may be expected. / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The continual increase in electrical energy demand in South Africa has resulted in a precariously low reserve margin in supply from the primary utility, Eskom. This resulted in extensive load shedding throughout the country. Far-reaching measures had to be introduced in order to ensure a reliable supply of electricity. DSM interventions were shown to be very successful short term solutions for the mining industry, reducing the strain on the national grid. This resulted in an increasing number of investigations to broaden the base of DSM projects to other industries. One such intervention was the Usutu-Vaal water distribution scheme, situated near Standerton, South Africa. This scheme includes the Grootdraai, Tutuka, Grootfontein, Rietfontein and Naauwpoort pumping stations. With a combined installed capacity of 36.5MW and the extremely large water storage capacities, these pump stations have been identified as prime candidates for DSM interventions. This dissertation discusses the method followed for a DSM project intervention and the results of the implementation. The national grid was relieved by an average of 12.3 MW during the Eskom weekday peak period, by shifting the pumping load into the off-peak periods. Simulations have shown that an annual financial saving of approximately R4.7million may be expected. / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

In this study a new tool was developed that made new approaches possible for the successful implementation of Demand Side Management (DSM) projects. The new approaches are incorporated into a generic tool that makes it possible for Energy Services Companies (ESCos) to undertake DSM projects that were previously not possible with currently available technology. Through these new approaches, maximum results can be obtained on a sustainable basis on the clear water pumping systems of South African mines. The author was responsible and participated in four different investigations and implementations of DSM projects. These were grouped into three case studies. Each of these studies required different new innovations. The innovations described in this thesis include the adaptation of the Real-time Energy Management System (REMS) that was developed and marketed by HVAC International, to mines with intricate pumping systems, mines without any instrumentation and control infrastructure, as well as to mines that make use of a Three Pipe Water Pumping System. The tool developed and applied in these projects was part of Eskom's DSM programme. In this programme, large electricity clients who wish to shift electrical load out of peak periods, are assisted by having the total costs of such projects funded by Eskom. The fact that the clients will most likely enjoy substantial electricity cost savings, (by not having to pay the high peak prices), is a major attraction of this programme. Nevertheless, the programme is not moving as fast as it should. The National Energy Regulator (NER) has set an annual target of 153 MW load to be shifted since 2003. By the end of 2005, the accumulated target load to be shifted will be 459 MW. However, Eskom has indicated that an accumulated total of only 181 MW load will have been shifted by the end of 2005. This means that the Eskom DSM programme has actually only achieved 39% of its target. The innovations described in this thesis will help ESCos to address this shortfall more effectively / Thesis (Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

Eskom is currently facing an energy crisis due to the limited operational electricity generating capacity in South Africa. The historically low electricity price, the rapid growth in economy and the energy intensive nature of South African industries are the most common reasons for the peak supply problem. Various supply and demand technologies have been identified to address this energy crisis. Due to the lengthy process of building new peaking load power stations, Eskom has initiated the Demand-side Management (DSM) programme as a solution to the short-term supply problem. The National Energy Regulator (NER) has set targets to Eskom DSM to reduce the evening peak demand by 153 MW per annum and 4 255 MW over a 20-year planning horizon. Due to the energy intensive nature of the mining industry, it has been targeted for DSM savings. To date there have been a number of DSM projects implemented on the clear-water pumping systems of various mines, with a large potential for DSM savings identified on future projects still unrealised. The generation benefit of DSM load-shifting projects is twofold; firstly Eskom's evening load capacity increases due to the reduction in demand during these periods and secondly, the mine receives electricity cost savings due to load management practices. Because Eskom DSM is dependent on the client consumer to accept and roll-out the DSM programme, client satisfaction is of paramount importance. Due to the fact that load-shifting efforts require from the mine to change their normal operating schedules, there is uncertainty on the impact and knock-on effects of DSM projects on a mine. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate and thereafter quantify the overall impact of DSM load-shifting on the clear-water pumping system of South African mines. A generic model was developed by performing case studies on existing DSM projects. This model was then applied to future DSM projects to validate the findings made throughout the research study. The case studies performed on existing DSM projects, as well as the results obtained when modelling the overall impact of DSM on future mines, proofs that DSM definitely benefits a mine. The total annual cost saving on the four future DSM projects is predicted to be in the order of R 7.64 million instead of the R 4.27 million when considering only the electricity cost savings to the mine. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Electrical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The purpose of this dissertation is to identify the best alternative method of load shifting on clear water pumping systems in the mining industry. This can be done through a comparison analysis between manual and automated Demand Side Management (DSM) projects. The study holds benefits for Eskom and any client wishing to participate in the program. Eskom, by choosing the best method, will ensure sustainable load shifting while the client benefits financially through lower electricity costs. In order to perform this study, research was conducted on the requirements for additional electricity supply in South Africa. Research showed that there is an urgent requirement for additional electricity supply to ensure continued economical growth. DSM was identified as one of the most favourable methods that could be implemented to address the problem. A reason for this is DSM projects are economically viable and can be implemented in a relatively short time. The initiative would also decrease the need for increasing electrical generation capacity. During the research study important information regarding the computation process for load shifting and cost saving performance was gathered. Research was also conducted on the effect of DSM on labour and maintenance cost reduction, as well as economical engineering methods that can be used for alternative selection. The difference in performance between automated and manual systems was compared. The results showed that a 40% improvement of automated systems over manual systems were attainable and sustainable. This will realise a total saving of approximately 45% in electricity costs for the client. Savings in labour and maintenance costs are shown to be achievable through the automation of pumping systems. These saving results were used in the Engineering Economic alternative selection methods where applicable. Economic calculations confirmed that automated projects are the most viable control method. From the comparison study, it is shown that automated controlled systems are more advantageous than manually controlled systems. It will therefore be in the best interest of the client to automate a manually controlled pumping system, as it will result in additional load shifting and cost saving. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Poor employee performance is one of employer’s most common challenges. The study aims to explore the effectiveness of a Performance Enhancement Programme (PEP) used within an electricity supply company and identifying the contributing factors for managers and supervisors not utilizing the programme. The research method consists of two parts, a literary review and an empirical study. The empirical study was done by means of a survey conducted on a sample of 210 Eskom supervisors and managers of the North Western Region of Eskom. The measuring instrument consisted of a structured questionnaire, developed by the researcher. The results revealed that supervisors and managers are using PEP and that they see it as a good tool to manage poor performance. Respondents indicated very clearly that they need training to be able to address poor performance. The findings concerning the effectiveness of the PEP were inconclusive. The small sample size was a limitation to the study. The questionnaire proved to be lacking in determining the effectiveness of the Performance Enhancement Programme. The sample only included supervisors and managers in the North Western Region of Eskom. Further research needs to be conducted with a larger sample including employees on all levels. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Eskom is currently facing an energy crisis due to the limited operational electricity generating capacity in South Africa. The historically low electricity price, the rapid growth in economy and the energy intensive nature of South African industries are the most common reasons for the peak supply problem. Various supply and demand technologies have been identified to address this energy crisis. Due to the lengthy process of building new peaking load power stations, Eskom has initiated the Demand-side Management (DSM) programme as a solution to the short-term supply problem. The National Energy Regulator (NER) has set targets to Eskom DSM to reduce the evening peak demand by 153 MW per annum and 4 255 MW over a 20-year planning horizon. Due to the energy intensive nature of the mining industry, it has been targeted for DSM savings. To date there have been a number of DSM projects implemented on the clear-water pumping systems of various mines, with a large potential for DSM savings identified on future projects still unrealised. The generation benefit of DSM load-shifting projects is twofold; firstly Eskom's evening load capacity increases due to the reduction in demand during these periods and secondly, the mine receives electricity cost savings due to load management practices. Because Eskom DSM is dependent on the client consumer to accept and roll-out the DSM programme, client satisfaction is of paramount importance. Due to the fact that load-shifting efforts require from the mine to change their normal operating schedules, there is uncertainty on the impact and knock-on effects of DSM projects on a mine. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate and thereafter quantify the overall impact of DSM load-shifting on the clear-water pumping system of South African mines. A generic model was developed by performing case studies on existing DSM projects. This model was then applied to future DSM projects to validate the findings made throughout the research study. The case studies performed on existing DSM projects, as well as the results obtained when modelling the overall impact of DSM on future mines, proofs that DSM definitely benefits a mine. The total annual cost saving on the four future DSM projects is predicted to be in the order of R 7.64 million instead of the R 4.27 million when considering only the electricity cost savings to the mine. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Electrical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.