High risk of load shedding today
It has emerged that Eskom has paid up to R1.2-billion for coal it hasn't been able to use due to delays at Medupi.
Eskom has issued a high risk alert for load shedding this morning (Friday).
Eskom, issued the alert for load shedding, as it emerged that the company has paid up to R1.2 billion for coal it hasn’t been able to use, putting the utility under more financial strain.
Despite the cash injection from the National Treasury and assistance from government to try and put Eskom back on course and to keep the lights on, reports suggest that delays at the Medupi Power Station have cost the utility dearly.
Meanwhile, Exxaro the company responsible for Eskom’s coal supply, is benefiting from these delays after two years of income shortfalls.
It sells 94 per cent of its coal to Eskom and while the fossil fuel isn’t being used, it helps the company better exploit its high value export-grade coal.
Eskom hopes that Unit Six at the Medupi Power Station will be fully functional by June and producing ten times what it’s producing now.
