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The head of Eskom held discussions with the World Bank as it explores options for transitioning from coal-fired stations to cleaner sources of energy.
Eskom CEO André de Ruyter traveled to the bank’s headquarters for the talks earlier this week.
“The Eskom CEO visit was part of ongoing engagement that the bank carries out with counterparts in country and in Washington DC, including on proposed projects,” though none have been finalised, a spokesperson for the lender said in an emailed response to questions.
De Ruyter was expected to “meet the World Bank and have discussions about funding,” the energy transition and related projects the utility is working on, Eskom spokesman Sikonathi Mantshantsha said. No further details were provided.
The US, UK, France, Germany and the European Union pledged $8.5 billion (R128 billion) to help South Africa reduce its reliance on coal at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November, a deal that could serve as a prototype for helping other coal-dependent nations decarbonize. Details of how the funds will be used are still under discussion.
The World Bank has supported earlier Eskom projects including granting it a $3.75 billion loan in 2010 for Medupi, a 4 764 megawatt coal-fired station. It’s also administrating a $250 million loan from the Clean Technology Fund to finance a battery-storage programme, the bank said in September.
