There is a risk of load-shedding – utility

Eskom has reported that coal delivery at some of its power stations was disrupted due to a workers’ protest yesterday morning, leaving the power utility at risk of yet another round of load-shedding.

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe tweeted that coal trucking at Majuba and Duvha power stations in Mpumalanga had stopped due to acts of intimidation, adding that the public order police had been called in to calm the situation.

Majuba takes 0.74 million tons of coal delivered by 700 trucks per day from 15 short- or medium-term contract suppliers while Duvha’s six 600 megawatt (mW) units produce 3 600mW of power.

Deputy spokesperson Dikatso Mothae confirmed that the wage dispute was at the centre of the protest. “I can confirm that the disruption is related to ongoing wage negotiations.

“Workers have made it clear that bonuses are a deal breaker.

“We became aware of the protest this morning [yesterday]. The system is currently stable but there is a risk of load-shedding depending on the use of electricity.”

Another round of wage negotiations between Eskom and workers’ unions is set to resume on Friday after the latter rejected the utility’s latest offer of a basic salary increase of 7% each year until 2020, with a housing allowance adjusted yearly by CPI over the period July 2018 to June 2021. – ANA