Former Eskom boss says coal power will solve load-shedding

According to Eskom’s former CEO Jacob Maroga, the company’s focus on improving its coal fleet’s performance and recognition of coal’s importance will end load-shedding in this country.

Talking to eNCA, Maroga said that the utility must focus on its existing infrastructure as it provides the solution to load-shedding. Previously, he said that Eskom was concentrating too much on Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and adding new generation capacity.

Following leadership changes at Eskom, the utility is now working to improve its existing infrastructure. The change in focus is partly responsible for the reduced load-shedding the country is currently experiencing. Maroga the most important lever to end load-shedding is to have an improved and consistent performance of the coal fleet.

The former CEO mentioned that this shows that Eskom is heading in the right direction and is making strides in ending load-shedding. Under that same tone however, Maroga urged the utility to keep businesses involved in building new generating capacity and helping Eskom maintain its coal fleet. The company is supposed to take a balanced approach and not favour IPPs over its existing coal fleet as it has previously done.

Maroga also sang praises for electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa for his role in improving the performance of Eskom’s coal fleet.