South Africa - Eskom Transmission Improvement Project - Loan

The Transmission Improvement Project in South Africa follows a request for funding received from Eskom in 2015 to the tune of ZAR 15 billion to finance its capital expansion programme. In response, in December 2015, the Bank approved a USD 375 million under the non-sovereign window. The project will construct 436km of 400Kv and 116km of 132Kv transmission lines and upgrade substation equipment at four substations which will provide additional evacuation paths for electricity from Kusile, Majuba, Drakensburg and Ingula power stations. The intervention will therefore not only part finance the critical transmission programme but also provide an opportunity for the Bank to continue engagements with Eskom, the Government and the regulator on improvements to the corporate governance environment, the continued roll out of the renewable energy independent power producer procurement programme and a sustainable electricity tariff path for the sector. Its implementation will thus contribute to the Eskom electricity connection target of one million customers by March 2021 and increased power exports into the region.