Eskom to ramp up transmission

Power utility has already obtained necessary licences from regulator Nersa.

Eskom is working hard on preparations to increase the length of new transmission and distribution lines to up to 800km per year in the next three years, from as low as 300km last year, according to new CEO Dan Marokane.

Marokane addressed the media on Friday as he reached the 100-day milestone in what is considered the most difficult job in South Africa.

He said the unbundling of Eskom has been too slow, but its transmission business will be standing on its own legs from 1 July as the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA).

It will still be based at Eskom's Megawatt Park head office, but will function independently as a subsidiary of the utility with its own executive and board. The company has already obtained the necessary licences from regulator Nersa.

Grid access

The operationalising of the NTCSA comes as access to the grid is becoming an increasing problem. In the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape, where the best renewable resources are, the grid is all but saturated.