South Africa's Chamber of Mines and Eskom will meet this week to decide how the national electricity supplier plans to ration electricity.

According to Frans Barker, Chief Negotiator at the Chamber of Mines in Johannesburg, Eskom will have the ultimate say over how much power each mine would get.

Mines have been running on 90 per cent power since a shortage in January forced them to close for five days although Eskom has said that it will increase their power allowance to about 95 per cent in the coming weeks.

"Each mine will be looked at for its energy efficiency plans, the number of jobs it supports and the contribution it makes to the economy. That is the criteria that will be used," said Mr Barker.

"I don't think we will go back to where we were at the end of the year, but I think it will make a big difference," he added.

Meanwhile, household users will be subject to a penalty system with charges for any customers who do not save electricity, Platts reports.

Source:

South Africa's Chamber of Mines to meet Eskom over power problem, 10/03/08
Platts

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