Can Eskom avoid load shedding?

Eskom's Khulu Phasiwe and mining analyst Peter Major explain whether Eskom will be able to run smoothly through winter.

Eskom has admitted that six of their power stations are running low on coal, but insist that there is no emergency yet. This is despite energy experts saying that we can expect load shedding soon.

Eskom Spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe says that they are doing everything possible to keep the lights on.

I think it was Irish poet Oscar Wilde who once said that we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. It is true that some people are concerned about load shedding, correctly so, but we as Eskom are focusing on solutions.

Khulu Phasiwe, Eskom Spokesperson

We are the one who acknowledged that we do have problems at some of our stations. We don't have enough coal there, and therefore we are coming up with solutions.

Khulu Phasiwe, Eskom Spokesperson

Phasiwe says that one of the solutions they have come up with is diverting coal to the stations in need. As to whether the lights stay on, Phasiwe says that this is something he can't answer as there is always a risk of load shedding.

READ: Eskom says it's running out of coal

For mining analyst at Cadiz Corporate Solutions, Peter Major, he can't believe that South Africa is struggling on the coal front. Especially because of the history and supply of coal and the transports systems in place to transfer it.

I can't believe for a second that this country has such low growth in the last 10 - 15 years. And we have been growing Eskom. So there must be more than enough power. We are way under capacity, I can't believe we are going to run out of power.

Peter Major, Mining Analyst at Cadiz Corporate Solutions

Major says the only reason for a coal or power shortage is poor management because he believes there are enough mining and coal companies that can facilitate the supply of coal.

He adds that it is up to President Ramaphosa to fix the management issue.

The general always has to take the wrap. So it the commander in chief, our president, Mr Ramaphosa - he has to step in. Then his lieutenants, his mining minister, his energy minister, his transport minister - this really has to be taught down.

Peter Major, Mining Analyst at Cadiz Corporate Solutions

Listen to the full conversation below:

More from Local

More from Business