No load shedding – promises Eskom
The utility says only six of its 15 power stations are low on coal, adding measures have been put in place to address the shortages.
POWER utility Eskom says South Africans can breathe easy as there will be no load shedding. The announcement was made by the utility’s interim CEO Phakamani Hadebe at a press briefing on Thursday morning.
Hadebe said despite facing coal supply challenges, the utility assures South Africans that load shedding is the least of their worries.
“We won’t have load shedding, unless there’s a natural catastrophe, or a big powerstation can’t produce,” he said.
#EskomSOS2018 concludes with IGCE Phakamani Hadebe saying that while the risk of load shedding always exist, it is not likely to occur this winter, as we implement plans to manage a shift in plant performance and coal-stock levels. #EskomSOS2018 https://t.co/39P5fySZbi
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) May 3, 2018
He added that coal supply has become a challenge as their supplier Gupta linked Tegeta Exploration and Resources has been having its own challenges.
“Tegeta is under business rescue and that has impacted us on coal supply,” said Hadebe.
Eskom has been under scrutiny following allegations of state capture within the state owned company.
Plans are in place to improve stockpile levels at the power stations, that are currently below minimum stock levels.
We continue to fast-track the build programme with 6 382 MW to be commissioned over the next 5 years https://t.co/NbZQS7r8Ra
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) May 3, 2018
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