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Current and forthcoming issues in the South African electricity sector

Author

Listed:
  • Kessides, Ioannis N.
  • Bogetic, Zeljko
  • Maurer, Luiz

Abstract

One of the contentious issues in electricity reform is whether there are significant gains from restructuring systems that are moderately well run. South Africa's electricity system is a case in point. The sector's state-owned utility, Eskom, has been generating some of the lowest-priced electricity in the world, has largely achieved revenue adequacy, and has financed the bulk of the government's ambitious electrification program. Moreover, the key technical performance indicators of Eskom's generation plants have reached world-class levels. Yet the sector is confronted today with serious challenges. South Africa's electricity system is currently facing a tight demand/supply balance, and the distribution segment of the industry is in serious financial trouble. This paper provides a careful diagnostic assessment of the industry and identifies a range of policy and restructuring options to improve its performance. It suggests removing distribution from municipal control and privatizing it, calls for vertical and horizontal unbundling, and argues that the cost-benefit analysis of different structural options should focus on investment incentives and not just current operating efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Kessides, Ioannis N. & Bogetic, Zeljko & Maurer, Luiz, 2007. "Current and forthcoming issues in the South African electricity sector," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4197, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:4197
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mwaura, Francis M., 2012. "Adopting electricity prepayment billing system to reduce non-technical energy losses in Uganda: Lesson from Rwanda," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 72-79.
    2. Bah, Muhammad Maladoh & Azam, Muhammad, 2017. "Investigating the relationship between electricity consumption and economic growth: Evidence from South Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 531-537.
    3. Nomsa Phindile Nkosi & Johane Dikgang, 2021. "South African Attitudes About Nuclear Power: The Case of the Nuclear Energy Expansion," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(5), pages 138-146.
    4. Johane Dikgang & Nomsa P. Nkosi, 2018. "South African attitudes about nuclear power: The case of the nuclear energy expansion," Working Papers 726, Economic Research Southern Africa.
    5. Msimango, Nonhlanhla & Orffer, Carla & Inglesi-Lotz, Roula, 2023. "South Africa's energy policy: Prioritizing competition and climate change for decarbonisation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).

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