ESKOM has taken the first steps towards dealing with conflict of interest in acquiring energy from independent suppliers.
By the end of the year it would have “ring-fenced” the revenue of its system operator as a precursor to setting up an independent system and market operator, Eskom planning official Adele Greyling said yesterday.
The establishment of the independent system and market operator is a major catalyst for private electricity producers as it will remove the potential conflict of interest in Eskom’s role as power producer and buyer of electricity from independents.
The move would create an enabling environment for the entry of independent producers.
At the moment, Eskom’s system operations and planning division is the single buyer of electricity. Within the division is the “single buyer office”, which drives Eskom’s conclusion of power purchase agreements with independent power producers.allafrica.com
Earlier this year the government said it would move the system operator out of Eskom and set up an independent one.
Speaking at a “green economy summit” in Johannesburg yesterday, Ms Greyling said Eskom would “ring-fence” the revenue of the utility’s system operator before the end of this year.
allafrica.com
