Eskom aims to replace short-term coal deals with long-term contracts to plug 1.3bn ton hole

State-owned electricity producer Eskom is going back to the future as it seeks to close an estimated 1.3-billion ton coal shortfall that it calculates will arise over the remaining life of its coal-fired power station fleet. The shortfall calculation takes account of the decommissioning of the power stations in line with the schedule outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan, which also assumes that new Medupi and Kusile power stations will continue to be operational in 2050.