Eskom has played a crucial role as the dominant vertically integrated utility at all levels of the electricity value chain. With the 2019 decision to unbundle Eskom, the role is expected to change once the generation, transmission and distribution functions are separated.

Eskom’s role as a Buyer under section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act will have to be reviewed, taking the ramifications of its unbundling into account.

Strategy must be developed as part of the unbundling to enable Eskom to participate in the development of new generation capacity in line with the IRP.