Business Report quoted Mr Eskom Andrew Etzinger GM at electricity generator Eskom as saying that it needs independent power producers to add more power to ensure sufficient supply.

Mr Etzinger said that "We absolutely depend on private sector investment in the power sector. We have to move forward quickly to get them signed up on to the grid."

Eskom has embarked on an almost ZAR 350 billion capital expenditure program during a five year period that will see the building of new power stations and the rehabilitation of others.

Mr Etzinger praised the recently released draft Integrated Resources Plan as a great document. The plan seeks to map out workable and integrated energy solutions for South Africa to prevent the power outages of 2008 from occurring again.

He added that "The plan identifies that we need a nuclear fleet up and running in the next few years."

(Sourced from www.busrep.co.za)