Eskom
Eskom is South Africa's state-owned electricity utility and the dominant power generator in the country. The company supplies approximately 90% of South Africa's electricity and is one of the largest utilities in Africa by generation capacity. Eskom operates a fleet of coal-fired, nuclear, hydroelectric, gas turbine and pumped-storage power stations, with coal-fired generation forming the backbone of its capacity. The utility is headquartered in Johannesburg and employs tens of thousands of people across its generation, transmission and distribution operations. Eskom has faced significant operational and financial challenges in recent years, including ageing infrastructure, maintenance backlogs, high debt levels and governance issues. These difficulties have led to recurring periods of loadshedding, during which the utility implements rolling blackouts to prevent a total grid collapse. The company's performance is critical to South Africa's economy, as reliable electricity supply underpins mining, manufacturing and other energy-intensive industries. Eskom was established in 1923 as the Electricity Supply Commission and has undergone several restructurings and reforms over the decades. The utility remains a focal point of South Africa's energy policy debates and economic planning.
Eskom Updates
Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber sounds alarm on 11% electricity tariff hike
By: Irma Venter 9th June 2026 The Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Business Chamber is “very concerned” about the 11% average increase in electricity tariffs proposed by the metro... →
Eskom Restructuring Task Team outlines terms of reference for creation of TSO
By: Terence Creamer 9th June 2026 The Eskom Restructuring Task Team (ERTT) has outlined the terms of reference guiding its deliberations on the establishment of an independent... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, Reply to debate on Presidency Dept Budget Vote 2026/27, Parliament, Cape Town (03/06/2026)
5th June 2026 South Africans expect of all of us not simply to diagnose the country’s problems, but to work together to solve them. They expect leadership,... →
Business leaders demand national govt step in to rescue Joburg from economic collapse 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 4th June 2026 The South African business sector has issued an urgent call to political parties and national government to immediately stabilise the City of... →
September Distribution Agency Agreement deadline looms for Eskom-indebted municipalities
By: Terence Creamer 3rd June 2026 The National Treasury has issued termination letters to 13 municipalities and is preparing to issue similar notices to 14 others in relation to... →
Joburg budget remains a concern, interest groups note
By: Natasha Odendaal 3rd June 2026 The City of Johannesburg's final 2026/27 budget still fails to resolve its underlying crisis of infrastructure decline, weak financial management,... →
Eskom sets out to appoint forensic services providers to resolve investigations backlog
By: Lumkile Nkomfe 3rd June 2026 State-owned power utility Eskom has issued an invitation to tender or request for proposals for the provision of forensic and anticorruption... →
South Africa can become strong value-add minerals player again, PyroFuZA points out
By: Martin Creamer 2nd June 2026 Look out for PyroFuZA. Those eight letters have the potential to make best use of South Africa’s natural resources and restore South Africa’s... →
South Africa's fiscal targets on track despite Iran war, Treasury says
By: Reuters 2nd June 2026 South Africa remains on track to meet its fiscal targets despite the conflict in the Middle East, its National Treasury said on Tuesday, adding it... →
UCT overcomes rooftop PV limitations with electricity wheeling deal
By: Terence Creamer 2nd June 2026 The University of Cape Town (UCT) has signed a power purchase agreement with Discovery Green for wheeled renewable electricity that will account... →
