Eskom to boost procurement for South African businesses

Eskom is expanding procurement opportunities for South African businesses to address rising electricity demand, which is projected to grow by 1.5% in the short term and 2% in the long term. At a Black Business Council summit, CEO Dan Marokane announced that the utility’s capital program will prioritize local manufacturing and support for black-owned enterprises to drive economic growth and energy security.

The utility’s Integrated Resource Plan 2025, valued at R2.23 trillion, aims to generate 105GW of new capacity by 2039, with an increased focus on renewables. This roadmap includes an investment pipeline of 96 projects targeting 23.9GW of new capacity, valued at approximately R1.3 trillion.

In terms of operational stability, Eskom reported its strongest energy availability factor performance in six years, with unplanned outages at their lowest daily levels in eight years. The utility is focusing on a turnaround plan centered on engineering discipline, maintenance, and operational sustainability to improve system reliability and minimize disruptions to households and businesses.