Eskom Holdings Ltd. (Eskom Holdings), a vertically integrated operation that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to industrial, mining, commercial, agricultural and residential customers and redistributors, has extended its postponement of the release of the request for proposal (RFP) for its Base Load Independent Power Producer (IPP) Programme to May 2009, at the earliest.
This is in order to allow the regulatory environment to follow its due process of public comments, consequential revisions and final sign off by the State Law Advisor. It includes the draft regulation on new generation capacity, which was gazetted on January 30, 2009.
This postponement follows an initial delay of the release of the RFP due to the finalisation of the regulatory framework and government support package needed to successfully support the Base Load IPP Programme.
Whilst this further postponement is regrettable, Eskom is certain that a fully supportive regulatory framework will ensure the success of this program.