Abstract:
Electricity generation, transmission and distribution in South Africa are handled almost exclusively
by Eskom, a public utility established in 1923. According to Eskom, electricity production capacity in
South Africa has been reached (see http://www.eskom.co.za/c/article/53/new-build-programme/)
because of the development of the economy and the fact that South Africa has not recently
augmented its power generation capacity. Eskom, supported by the South African government, has
therefore embarked on a process to build more coal-fired power stations (Department of Energy,
2009).Putting action to words, Eskom commenced with the construction of two new coal-fired
power stations, namely the Kusile power station in Emalahleni, situatedin the province of
Mpumalanga, and the Medupi power station in Lephalale, Limpopo.Supporting these new power
generation facilities necessitates the construction of new coal mines, as well as the expansion of
existing coal mines.
