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Media statement Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) and Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) announcement on electricity to mines
6 March 2008
Over the next two weeks, Eskom will, in consultation with the mining industry, allow an increase up to 260 megawatt (MW) in electricity supply to the mines as proposed by the Chamber of Mines. The criteria in determining this allocation will inter alia include, minimising the disruptive impact on the mining industry, job losses and mine safety. This increase will occur in a phased manner, on a case by case basis that will ensure that any negative impact on power system stability is minimised.
This decision follows consultation with the Chamber of Mines and National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) earlier this week, and the subsequent decision to review key users' consumption targets in the mining industry in order to mitigate against negative employment effects arising from the energy reductions. As already indicated earlier this week, the Chamber has followed up their survey by establishing the accurate energy requirements in the Mining sector.
As of 6 March 2008, we have an update indication of the energy required for this sector. This agreement has been reached to alleviate the heavy disruptive burden and possible large retrenchments. The industry will still make a significant saving of around five percent. It is essential that all sectors work to reach the average ten percent reduction we need.
As indicated, to ensure the stability of the system we will introduce scheduled load-shedding. The nature and extent of scheduled load-shedding will be communicated as soon as this has been finalised with the Municipalities Until such time that scheduled load-shedding is implemented, the risk of load-shedding as per current schedules remains, should the national electricity supply system become unstable.
All consumers are encouraged to continue their load reduction initiatives as a ten percent reduction in demand will remove the requirement for rolling load-shedding across the country.
For any further enquiries, please contact:
Vimla Maistry
Cell: 082 372 0270
E-mail: vimla.maistry@dpe.gov.za
Monica Kokela
073 237 6420
E-mail: monica.kokela@dpe.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Enterprises
6 March 2008
Source: Department of Public Enterprises (http://www.dpe.gov.za)