Eskom will delay the supply of electricity to all new constructions for up to six months in an attempt to let South Africa's mines operate at full capacity.

The power crisis has forced a shutdown of the mining sector and it has only been able to run at 90 per cent capacity since the closedown ended in January.

Fears of massive job cuts in the industry are looming although power rationing is being implemented to ensure the mines can operate.

According to Beeld newspaper, homes in the Gauteng province near Johannesburg will face rationing every other day although this has not been confirmed by Eskom.

An announcement regarding the supply of power to the mining industry is expected on Friday following talks between mining firms, unions, the Government and Eskom.

Meanwhile, Eskom has opened bids from companies looking to convert waste into heat and electricity after it announced that an additional 3,500MW of power could be generated in this way, Reuters reports.

Speaking to Parliament, Chief Director of Electricity, Ompi Aphane, said: "We believe that there is an upside of 3,500 megawatts and a process is already underway with Eskom. A bidding process has started to try and capture these megawatts."

Source:

Reuters

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