Eskom to sign long-term supply agreements

© gui junpeng – 123RF.com

This follows the utility’s integrated results for the six months ended September, showing that revenue increased by 10.5% to R97.1bn due to a 31.6% increase in electricity exports.

The electricity exports were to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe as a result of Eskom’s 2000MW-5000MW of excess capacity in the medium term.

“With the anticipation of additional surplus capacity in the coming months and years, we are focusing on signing long-term power supply agreements with regional partners. Engagements with utilities and mining houses active in the region have commenced. Overall electricity sales were 1.2% higher than in the same period last year,” said the power utility.

Meanwhile, in order to address the decline in local sales’ volumes, Eskom has commenced with a strategy to address this.

“Eskom has commenced with a strategy to address the decline in local sales volumes and it will address both the retention of sales to existing customers and the stimulation of sales growth. The strategy addresses cross-border sales, local demand stimulation, public-private partnerships, corporate development and unregulated revenues.”

The utility is engaging key industrial customers to understand requirements and also engage with municipalities and metros to enable their growth.