Municipal financial instability and distribution-level constraints were highlighted by industry stakeholders as emerging challenges for electricity market reform, particularly in relation to wheeling and customer access to alternative supply.
These issues were discussed during a webinar hosted by Creamer Media, South Africas Energy Outlook 2026 , on January 28. Moderated by Masedi Tlhong of TGR Attorneys, the session examined whether electricity reform is moving from planning into operational implementation. Panellists included representatives of Eskom, Discovery Green, Cresco, the Energy Council of South Africa and the South African Independent Power Producers Association SAIPPA.
From Eskoms perspective, Group Executive for Group Strategy and Sustainability Nontokozo Hadebe said the utility is using distribution agreements as a mechanism to work more closely with municipalities to address underlying challenges. These include revenue instability, infrastructure issues, electricity losses, theft and vandalism.
