The Export-Import Bank of the United States voted to grant preliminary approval for a $805.6m direct loan to South Africa's state-owned electric power utility Eskom. The financing, if finally approved, will support Eskom's purchase of engineering and construction management services from Black & Veatch International which will be used to construct the Kusile power plant located in the Emalahleni area of the Mpumulanga Province. The Kusile plant will consist of six 800 MW units, for a total capacity of 4,800 MW. It is the second of two plants being constructed by Eskom in order to meet the country's increasing demand for electric power. The Kusile plant is designed with advanced technology and equipment, including highly efficient supercritical boilers. The plant also is designed to be carbon capture and sequestration ready. A final vote by the board is anticipated in approximately 35 days, following the mandatory Congressional notification period.