The National Treasury has confirmed that the once-off independent review of Eskom’s 14 coal fired power stations is under way and should be concluded by July. The review was announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during his February Budget when he also unveiled the R254-billion Eskom Debt Relief plan.
International consultants from a consortium of five Germany-based companies are reviewing Eskom’s operations. At least some of their recommendations must be implemented before the troubled power utility can access its R254bn bailout as announced in the 2023 Budget.
Eskom will miss a target to boost output from struggling coal-fired plants by the end of March, highlighting the poor state of equipment whose viability is being reviewed by German energy consultants.
Jeffrey Quvane, director responsible for the oversight of Energy and Telecommunications at National Treasury, talks about what the independent consortium is.