Breaking news
- Organised and co-ordinated protests have broken out at six of Eskom’s coal fired power stations this morning and possibly another three to be confirmed.
- Eskom is South Africa’s state owned energy utility and has a power generation deficit which has caused widespread loadshedding in the country.
- The protesters have blocked roads leading to the power stations.
The National Union of Mineworkers and National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa are the two biggest labour union groups at Eskom. The two unions embarked on illegal strike action in 2018. It is unknown at this stage why the protest is taking place or who the protesters represent.
Related news: Eskom is regularly plagued by acts of sabotage at their power plants
Eskom recorded debt of R392.1 billion in 2021 and incurred R16.6 billion in finance costs to service the debt. Read more
The utility’s generation capacity is severely hampered by breakdowns and planned maintenance which fluctuates between 15000MW to 20000MW. Eskom’s total generation capacity is 44000MW.
More to follow on this story as it unfolds.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
