Eskom still believes that platinum mines could be subject to load shedding particularly while it makes repairs to a unit at its nuclear plant.

South Africa's energy supplier announced this week that it had shut down one of two electricity generating units at its Koeberg nuclear power station following technical problems.

A 900Mw generator at the Koeberg facility, a 669MW unit at Majuba and a 585MW unit at Dubha would all be repaired by this weekend, Eskom claimed.

Eskom's Managing Director of corporate services Dr Steve Lennon said that incidents such as this eat into the firm's reserve supplies which are currently running at six per cent.

The risk of load shedding was increased while the units at Koeberg were out for repairs, he told Mining Weekly in an emailed statement.

Meanwhile, Braemore Resources Chief Executive Officer David Russell has claimed that South Africa has been 'spoiled' by easy access to electrical power.

Speaking to Mining Weekly he said that Australian mines did not expect "reticulated power" at a mine.

He said Australian firms were more inclined to open their own power options.



Source:

Eskom warns of higher risk of load shedding, 24/07/08
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=139002

South Africans have been 'spoiled' by easy access to abundant electrical power, says new platinum smelter Braemore, 25/07/08
http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=138467