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A timeline of Eskom's tender from 2010 - 2018
2010
Eskom puts out a bid to replace the six ageing steam generators at Koeberg to extend the life span of South Africa’s only nuclear power station.
2011
Eskom preliminarily appoints Westinghouse, but the tender is cancelled after then public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba intervenes.
2012
The tender is resubmitted, and Westinghouse and Areva are short-listed once again.
DECEMBER 2012
Eskom’s technical committee recommends to the Eskom executive procurement subcommittee that Westinghouse be awarded two-thirds of the work package, while Areva gets the rest.
JANUARY 2013
The Eskom board’s tender committee reviews and overturns the decision, and appoints Swiss firm AF Consult to advise on technical matters.
JULY 2013
AF Consult makes various recommendations, including that the work package not be split up, and Areva and Westinghouse have to submit further bids.
DECEMBER 2013
Eskom’s tender board committee goes on a four-day ‘nuclear training trip’ to France, sponsored by Areva shareholder Électricité de France, during a critical stage in the tender process.
JUNE 2014
Eskom issues a so-called penalty shoot-out to the two bidders, where they have to submit final bids according to strict new criteria. Westinghouse says Areva did not stick to these criteria.
AUGUST 2014
Eskom board takes a final vote on the bidders and announces that Areva has been selected. Westinghouse accuses Eskom’s tender board committee of foul play.
SEPTEMBER 2014
Westinghouse institutes legal action against Eskom and Areva, asking for the decision to be set aside due to irregularities during the tender process.
NOVEMBER 2014
Eskom provides Westinghouse with the necessary documentation outlining the bid at the eleventh hour, after Westinghouse filed a contempt-of-court application.
MARCH 2015
Westinghouse loses the high court battle, but appeals the decision.
SEPTEMBER 2015
Areva starts work on the contract in its factories in France.
DECEMBER 2015
Supreme Court of Appeal rules against Eskom and Areva, saying that the process was ‘irrational and unlawful’. But the court stops short of taking the contract away from Areva.
JANUARY 2016
Eskom approaches the Constitutional Court in a bid to have the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling overturned.
MAY 2016
Areva and Westinghouse file affidavits in the Constitutional Court, with Areva arguing that setting aside the tender would endanger South Africa’s energy supply.
2018
Deadline for completion of the steam generators refurbishment.
