Contingency plan needed as Eskom reveals it has no ‘plan B’

23 August 2015

The DA will request that the Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynn Brown, table a contingency plan to deal with possible coal shortages nationally, following Eskom Spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe’s comments that there is no “plan B” should coal supplies to the Hendrina Power Station be depleted. 

I will also be submitting written questions in parliament to Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, as to how he, and his “war room”, have not overseen the drafting of plans regarding coal supply interruptions to any of our stations. This is an issue central to South Africa’s energy supply, and the Deputy President’s inaction is both disturbing and telling.  

Hendrina Power Station, which supplies 2000 MW of power to the national grid, is reported to have only 40 days of coal supply left. Following the suspension of the agreement between Optimum Mines and Eskom, there is a great risk that power being supplied from this station could be interrupted. This would have disastrous consequences for our economy, as it would most likely increase load-shedding.

To not have a contingency plan in place, when South Africa is already facing power shortages is nothing less than gross negligence. It is time for Eskom to get its act together. If there isn’t a ‘plan B’, they must make sure that there is one, and fast. 

The jobs and livelihoods of our people are at stake.

Statement issued by Natasha Mazzone MP, DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, August 23 2015