Eskom says coal stock at its Hendrina power station might be lower than the 20 day supply requirement, but load shedding is not likely.

Amabhungane reported on Thursday the power utility may be forced to resume nationwide load shedding after the Gupta-owned Tegeta mine threatened to halt coal supply.

However Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe told Reuters on Thursday that the utility’s 12 other power stations still have sufficient coal supply.

Phasiwe confirmed reports that Eskom had a meeting last Friday to determine whether the coal supply at Hendrina and other stations have sufficient supply after Tegeta Exploration and Resources threatened to shut down coal supply.

According to leaked minutes of the meeting, the power utility retaliated by threatening legal action Amabhungane reported.

“[Eskom’s primary energy division] has requested that this major incident be investigated independently by [Assurance and Forensic] … This is to be initiated at [Hendrina power station] and other power stations to check if it affects only one power station or others as well.”

In the meantime Eskom is in the process of finding alternative suppliers that can truck in around 6000 tons of coal a day from other mines and other power stations.

–Amabhungane, Reuters