More coal moved to SA's power plants

031110 A new study has found that SA coal reserves have been significantly downsized since 2003.photo by Simphiwe Mbokazi 453

031110 A new study has found that SA coal reserves have been significantly downsized since 2003.photo by Simphiwe Mbokazi 453

Published May 29, 2012

Share

South African state logistics group Transnet expects coal transported along its lines to triple to 30 million tonnes within seven years to meet demand at coal-fired power stations, a presentation showed on Tuesday.

“Indications are that the demand for the transportation of coal to Eskom's power stations will grow from 7 million tonnes currently to 30 million tonnes by 2019,” Transnet said in a submission to parliament.

Transnet is spending billions of dollars to upgrade its rail haulage system, where years of underinvestment is blamed for constraining exports of key commodities, including coal, iron ore and manganese.

Transnet has said it expects to transport at least 73 million tonnes of coal through the Richards Bay Coal Terminal in the current financial year to end-March, up from 68 million tonnes in the last financial year. - Reuters

Related Topics: