Energy always plays an integral role in ferro-alloys production, but nowhere more so than in power constrained South Africa. Eskom's recent announcement that the long awaited Medupi power station will be delayed and will now not be supplying power until the second half of 2014, compounds the problem. The additional costs this delay may cause are not yet fully known, but it will inevitably put pressure on availability and prices. And, for an energy intensive industry like ferro-alloys smelting, this could mean the difference between profit and loss.
This issue of energy availability and cost will be high on the agenda at the upcoming 6th South African Ferro-alloys conference. Experts and decision makers from both sides for the fence will discuss the future of energy supplies and how will it affects production of ferro-alloys in South Africa, with opportunities to ask questions of decision makers directly.
Distinguished speakers approaching this topic include:
· Nelisiwe Magubane, Director General, Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy
· Ronald Chauke, Head of Department: Electricity Regulatory Reform, National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)
· Shaun Nel, Director, Energy Intensive Users Group