COSATU: Government's plan to power SA will fail if Eskom isn't fixed

- COSATU says that the government's plan for energy is hopeless if Eskom crashes

- Speaking after the release of the Integrated Resources Plan, the union welcomed the details but issued a warning

- If the embattled utility fails to pick up the pieces, the plan will be doomed to fail from the onset

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The government may have finalised its vision for South Africa's energy supply over the next decade, but COSATU is concerned over the situation at Eskom.

Briefly.co.za reported that Minister Gwede Mantashe had indicated how the state plans to combine nuclear power with existing coal plants.

The Congres of South African Trade Unions' Mattew Parks said that while they are pleased with the concession to allow for different sources of energy, the plan fails to address the 'existential crisis' facing Eskom, reports Fin24.

READ ALSO: Explainer: The government's plan to keep South Africa powered

Parks warned that avoiding the issues at the utility could mean it won't be around in 10 years' time. With a debt burden of over R450 billion, Eskom also has to contend with operational challenges.

The load-shedding that returned to plague citizens this week had been brought on by issues at the Medupi Power Station.

Acting CEO Jabu Mabuza, who pointed out that he hadn't asked for his job in the first place, says that the offending conveyor belt should be repaired at some point next week.

Parks is adamant that, until Eskom is sorted out, the IRP vision is defeated from the onset, saying:

"The IRP is fine, on a piece of paper, it’s fine. But if you do not deal with the real ticking time bomb that can explode today or tomorrow then you are stuck with a piece of paper."

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Source: Briefly News