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S.Africa finmin expects W.Bank to grant Eskom loan

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters)

South Africa's Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Thursday he was positive power utility Eskom would receive a loan from the World Bank, despite opposition from the United States and Britain.

The United States and Britain say the World Bank should finance renewable energy rather than construction of coal-fired power stations.

"It is true that certain countries had... doubts that they would not support such a loan, but since we last spoke about this issue we have got more positive signs that the loans will be approved," Pravin Gordhan told journalists.

"I can confirm in my discussions with government leaders from the UK that they will certainly consider the loan."

Eskom is seeking a $3.75 billion loan, intended to help the state-owned utility with a critical power supply expansion to enable it to meet fast-rising demand.