Eskom has scrapped a plan to reward workers with 30000 symbolic coins and embroidered cricket hats for completing the first unit to produce electricity at Medupi power station. The coal-fired megaplant under construction in Limpopo will add 4800 megawatts of power to the national power grid but is seven years behind schedule and billions over budget.The parastatal sought quotations last month for 15000 cricket hats and 15000 "silver medal coins with artwork". A day after the Sunday Times questioned the deal this week, it was officially cancelled.story_article_left1Senior buyer Halalisiwe Mavimbela issued the request, which included a draft coin design bearing the words "Presented by Medupi Project Management for the delivery of Unit 6 - 26 August, 2015".President Jacob Zuma officially opened the unit, four years later than planned. All six generating units were due to be operational by late 2013, but poor workmanship, strikes and glitches caused delays. Project director Roman Crookes resigned abruptly last weekend.Energy expert Chris Yelland said handing out hats and silver coins would send the wrong signal to cash-strapped consumers amid increasing power prices.The National Energy Regulator of South Africa will consider a request by Eskom next month to recoup R22-billion via a tariff increase, on top of an approved 8% hike in April.Asked about the tender, spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said on Thursday: "Eskom can confirm that no hats or coins have been acquired. The request for quotes for such items has been cancelled." He was unable to say when the plan was shelved or by whom. Eskom published a tender cancellation notice, signed by procurement manager Ansie Gous, the same day.At bulk suppliers and retailers hat prices ranged from R60 to R160. Multiplied by 15000, the price tag - excluding embroidery - varied from R900000 to R2.4-million, although bulk orders are discounted.Yelland said workers and employees deserved recognition, but to "start getting excited about commissioning the first unit four years late ... is hardly cause for celebration".He said the swift departure of Crookes was troubling, a sign that all was not well at Eskom.Eskom quietly cancelled plans last year for a R500-million revamp of its headquarters in Johannesburg...