Eskom has a number of new contracts with coal suppliers to try and avoid or possibly reduce load-shedding, as supplies dwindle.
Eskom on Monday warned of an increased risk of nationwide power cuts due to a serious decline in coal stockpiles at a number of its power stations.
The problems reportedly began when Gupta-owned Tegeta started having problems with coal supply in November last year, according to Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe.
“They had a contract with Eskom to supply coal to at least three power stations, they started defaulting from last year and in March this year that’s when they totally stopped supplying us with coal,” said Phasiwe.
The South African Grid Code requires that Eskom maintains stock levels at 20 days on average at all of its power stations.
The power utility has less than 20 days’ worth of coal at 11 of its power stations, five of which have less than ten days supply.
Diesel generators are being used as a temporal measure to keep the power grid stable but heavy rain forecast for the coming months is also predicted to affect coal supplies and quality.
-eNCA
