Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe on Tuesday confirmed that the power utility will expedite plans to close four power stations in order to accommodate renewable independent power producers (IPPs).
The stations are the 3 000MW Kriel, 1 000 MW Komati, 2 000 MW Hendrina and the 1 600 MW Camden power station, all in Mpumalanga.
Phasiwe says two of Komati’s six units have in fact already been closed down and its other units as well as the other three stations will be closed down gradually as renewable IPPs connect to the grid.
Eskom’s acting CEO Matshela Koko said on Friday the power utility will sign the PPAs, while the Department of Energy’s IPP Office head Karén Breytenbach said she readying plans to ensure a smooth roll-out for IPPs.