Importing of power from Botswana under consideration, confirms Eskom
Eskom has confirmed ongoing discussions with Botswana on possibly importing electricity from its power company.
The confirmation comes just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa's energy crisis plan, where he announced that the embattled power utility will purchase additional energy from existing private generators and neighbouring countries that have surplus power.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Botswana Electricity Corporation said that for the past three months, two of their power stations have generated more power than is required.
Botswana says that for now it will only be able to connect over-toll power to Eskom's power grid on weekends.
"BPC has therefore started engaging Eskom to purchase the excess electricity supply generated during off peak times (weekends) in order to protect our plants against load management fluctuations also to ensure that surplus electricity has a secured market," said the BEC.
Meanwhile, Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha says the commercial price and quantum are still the subject of discussion.
“Any agreement would be subject to approval by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.”
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