/ 16 April 2007

Eskom board announces new CEO

The board of Eskom has elected Jacob Maroga as its new CEO, Eskom said on Friday.

”The board extends its congratulations to Jacob Maroga and wishes him every success in the years ahead,” said Eskom Holdings chairperson Valli Moosa.

Maroga will take over from current CEO Thulani Gcabashe, whose term ends on April 30. Maroga’s duties start on May 1.

Moosa said Gcabashe will remain at Eskom for the next 18 months to lead a project intended to leverage the economic benefits resulting from the utility’s capital-expansion programme.

He will also be involved in the setting up of a local nuclear-power industry based on the installation of up to 20 000 megawatts of capacity.

”Over the next 20 years, Eskom will embark on an investment programme that will see the utility doubling its size in terms of generation capacity,” Moosa said.

Eskom is set to spend about R150-billion over the next five years to upgrade South Africa’s electricity infrastructure. — Sapa