As the South African power crisis, that has affected platinum mines across the country, continues, debate surrounds the issue of power exports.

Eskom has decided to lift the capacity of power that it could import from Mozambique's Cahorra Bassa hydro electric scheme while reportedly deciding to cut supplies to Botswana.

This is fitting with Eskom's policy as it aims to reduce exports and increase imports to ensure the maximum amount of power can be supplied to industry and domestic users,

Speaking to Engineering News Online, Andrew Etzinger, a spokesman for Eskom said: "Our intent is clear, we want to maximise imports and minimise exports."

But this policy may not be as simple as it seems as long-term contracts prevent the energy supplier from cutting supplies to neighbouring customers.

Mines outside the country take plenty of power in agreements that cannot be broken although Eskom said that exports have all been reduced by ten per cent as this is the cut required of "all South African customers".

Source:

Power utility seeks to limit exports but long-term contracts hinder plans, 11/04/08

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