Eskom transforms inputs from the natural environment – coal, nuclear, fuel, diesel, water, and wind – into more than 90% of the energy supplied to a wide range of customers in South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. To balance electricity supply and demand in real time, the System Operator (soon to be the Independent Transmission and System Market Operator, ITSMO, as the Transmission business continues to legally separate) must maintain the frequency of the power system at 50Hz.
Eskom is one of the few remaining vertically integrated utilities connected to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) through an interconnected grid, which serves to support grid stability. Eskom relies on SADC members to maintain sufficient and reliable transmission grids in their countries.
The foundation of the business is the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity, supplemented with the construction of new power stations and network infrastructure. The Gx, Tx, and Dx Divisions rely on support in the form of finance, human resources, procurement, information technology, telecommunications, strategy, risk and sustainability, legal and compliance, and stakeholder relations. In support of the electricity business, Eskom Rotek Industries (a subsidiary) performs turbine and transformer repairs and provides specialised construction and transport services.
Eskom Conversion Act, 13 of 2001 (http://www.info.gov.za/gazette/acts/2001/a13-01.pdf)
NERSA (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) (http://www.nersa.org.za)
NNR (National Nuclear Regulator) (http://www.nnr.co.za )