Eskom is working with National Treasury to create a funding plan for a 3,000MW gas-power station built in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.<\/p>\n
As reported by City Press<\/a>, Eskom is looking for a way to build the power station without borrowing any more money.<\/p>\n The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) previously approved the project, but environmental groups are challenging the matter in court.<\/p>\n Eskom wants to add the Richard Bays power station to the grid by 2028, and its generation capacity of 3,000 MW would reduce load shedding by three stages.<\/p>\n The Energy Intensive Users Group, whose members include AngloAmerican, Sasol, and Rand Water, previously said that the gas-fired power stations will be incredibly important with the introduction of renewable energy sources.<\/p>\n It said that gas-fired power can be turned on and off at short notice and can help supplement the intermittent supply of solar and wind power.<\/p>\n However, Minerals Council SA said that it was worried about the cost as Eskom will have to pay for imported gas.<\/p>\n Considering the volatility of the rand – which recently hit an all-time low against the dollar – the price of producing electricity could fluctuate constantly, Minerals Council SA said.<\/p>\n