Although South Africa’s power system is severely constrained, State-owned power utility Eskom will continue to sell electricity to neighbouring countries, says Eskom chairperson Zola Tsotsi.

Tsotsi, who was speaking at the quarterly state-of-the-system briefing at the utility’s Megawatt Park head office, in Johannesburg, in February, said that Eskom wanted to set the record straight concerning recent media reports about Eskom diverting power to Botswana despite the local system being under severe pressure.

He urged people to remember that South Africa was a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and, as such, was obliged to trade fairly with other member States.

Further, Tsotsi added that South Africa imported and exported power as a member of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

The SAPP was established in 1995, primarily to provide reliable and economical electricity supply for the consumers of each SAPP member, consistent with the reasonable use of natural resources and the effect on the environment.

SAPP members have undertaken to create a common market for electricity in the SADC region and to let their customers benefit from the advantages associated with this market.

“Part of the challenge that we faced in terms of supply to the grid was partially because of the reduction in imports from Mozambique’s Cahora Bassa hydropower scheme, owing to an unexpected break occurring in the transmission line to South Africa. Therefore, it is important to stress that SADC countries depend on one another for the provision of power,” said Tsotsi.

Moreover, he highlighted that Eskom had contracts with several SADC countries, including Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana; however, “these contracts . . . do not prejudice South Africa’s local supply systems”.

“We need to change the narrative and forge stronger partnerships with the region,” he added.

Moreover, recently resigned Eskom CEO Brian Dames said during the state-of-the system briefing that trading power with neighbouring countries provided mutual benefits for South Africa.

“Export power brings in additional revenue and ensures regional stability,” he stated, adding that Eskom sold only about 100 MW/y to Botswana, which, although small, made “a significant contribution to the lives of people living in Botswana”.

Dames also noted that importing power assists South Africa during times of national capacity constraint.

“During constraints, these arrangements enable us to import more than we export, thereby assisting South Africa in managing its security of supply.
“Our imports include up to 1 500 MW from the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric power plant and up to 107 MW from the Aggreko gas-fired power station, both in Mozambique,” he pointed out.

Further, Dames explained that export contracts with neighbouring utilities were undertaken either on a firm or nonfirm basis – when Eskom has extra capacity to export available power.