Eskom on coal-buying spree
14/02/2008 17:02  - (SA)  

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Johannesburg - South African electricity utility Eskom aims to buy 45 million tonnes of coal extra over two years to supply its power stations, an official said.

"It would be over two years," Eskom executive Brian Dames said in response to a question at a news conference.

Eskom General Manager Rob Lines said on Feb 1 at a coal conference in Cape Town that the utility was seeking around 11 million tonnes of additional domestic coal supply for 2008 in order to build stocks and avoid power cuts.

In response to the January power cuts, Eskom sought an additional 5.4 million tonnes of coal from major South African coal producers BHP Billiton, Exxaro, Anglo Coal South Africa and Xstrata to cover its immediate needs for the next three months.

Producers have pledged to meet this additional 5.4 million tonnes by the end of April. This will allow Eskom to build stocks of around three weeks from currently about 1 week, ahead of the winter beginning in July.

At least two South African coal producers have agreed to divert some export coal tonnage to Eskom.

- Reuters

- Reuters

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