Anglo, Eskom cooperate on SA's energy challenge

Anglo American and Eskom have signed an agreement aimed at guaranteeing South Africa’s power supply, they said in a statement on Wednesday.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), a strategic cooperation will be established to identify and implement solutions to guarantee the integrity of the electricity supply, they said.

“The MoU provides a framework for Anglo American and Eskom to cooperate on their respective future energy requirements, including energy provision and coal supplies.”

The MoU also aims to facilitate: the optimisation of scarce resources; the conceptualisation and implementation of energy efficiency programmes; skills development; sustainable development; and research and development initiatives, such as clean-coal technologies and carbon sequestration potential.

“It is of critical importance that we play our part in addressing South Africa’s energy challenge,” said Anglo American chief executive Cynthia Carroll.

Anglo American is committed to working with Eskom to finding solutions to support the country’s national energy needs, she said.

“This MoU will facilitate a coordinated approach to developing new and creative cost-effective solutions to serve and benefit the country and ensure consistent energy supply to the nation.”

According to Eskom chief executive Jacob Maroga, the power utility has been working with Anglo American for some time “as part of the national response to the energy supply challenge”.

“This MoU will provide a framework from which we can work together to optimise synergies, scarce resources and skills, and to secure and stabilise power generation and distribution,” he said.—Sapa