The Seamy Side of Coal Generated Power: Eskom in South Africa

Listen to "The Seamy Side of Coal Generated Power: Eskom in South Africa"

Eskom, South Africa's electrical supply commission, is a parastatal or government entity that supplies the entire country with electricity. Eskom is proposing a 35 % rate hike for each of the next 3 years to pay off World Bank loans of up to five billion dollars for its so called 'new build' program.

The vast majority of SA's electricity is generated from coal and SA already has one of the heaviest carbon foot prints in the world. At the National Energy Regulator of South Africa hearings in Durban, KwaZulu Natal about 600 residents from South Durban added their voices to the public discussion. We hear from Patrick Mkize, spokesperson for Wentworth Development Forum, youth activist Bongani Mthembu from Umlazi Township, and Marveen King also from Wentworth. Following that, environmental research campaigner Rico Europido from the NGO groundWork shares the overall context in which to understand concerns raised during the Nersa hearings.

Read the article published on CommonDreams.org, Monday, January 25, 2010:
The Seamy Side of Coal-Fired Power
by Susan Galleymore