Matshela Koko, Eskom’s interim group CEO, has called for business to invest in the South African economy, saying that electricity is no longer a constraint for the country, given that the first unit of the Kusile power station has now been connected to the national grid.
Koko said:
"Our build programme is now delivering ahead of our re-baseline schedule, our operations have stabilised and as a result, we are in a position of surplus capacity. I therefore invite business to invest in the economy because the availability of electricity is no longer a constraint to the growth of the economy."
At the same time, Eskom has also increased its electricity exports to neighbouring states, many of whom have had their hydro scheme adversely affected by the drought. Eskom's electricity sales to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe rose 31.6% in the six months to 30 September 2016.
