According to the South African Chamber of Mines, "Assuming growth rates of between three and five per cent, the coal used by 2030 - when estimates suggest electricity demand is likely to peak at 75 000 megawatts - together with coal dedicated to future use by power stations either operating or under construction in 40 years' time, amounts to a staggering 30 billion tons, about half of the country's reserves". Even with the growth of the new coal fields in the Waterberg, one can well understand why South Africa would want a supply agreement with Botswana. For many years, President Khama and his predecessor President Festus Mogae, had tried to convince the South African government to allow Botswana to export electricity. CIC Energy, the owner of Mmambula coal deposit until it was sold to Jindahl Steel last week, had long had a business model where it would generate electricity to a power hungry South Africa. Initially, the plan was for a 3,000MW power station which was not going to be acceptable to Eskom.
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