Africa's Pre-Eminent Energy and Related Services Provider The Electricity Supply Commission (ESKOM) began in 1923 to supply abundant and low-cost electricity to the government, railways, harbors, local authorities and the industry.

In 1986, Eskom underwent major restructuring with a strong focus on operating along business lines. This restructuring, combined with a well-defined vision of being the world's lowest cost producer of electricity, established the utility's strategy for growth and prosperity. At present, Eskom supplies approximately 95% of the country's electricity requirements - more than half the electricity generated on the African continent. Eskom's key engineering statistics and achievements include:

* Twenty-four power stations that have a net generating capacity of 34,585 MW, comprising 87.9% coal-fired, 5.3% nuclear, 4% pumped-storage, 1.7% hydro and 1% gas-turbine plants. The generating capacity includes the largest direct and indirect dry-cooled plants in the world (for example, Matimba at 3990 MW and Kendal at 4116 MW).

* Transmission lines of 765 kV and 440 kV that span 26,443 km (16,434 miles), run across the entire country and supply power via interconnectors to Lesotho, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi.

* A distribution system of 40,399 km (25,108 miles), a low-voltage network of 214,168 km (103,100 miles) and 245,000 transformers.

* A commitment to connect 1.75 million homes between 1994 and 2000 - a target that has already been exceeded by 750 homes, one year ahead of schedule.

* The status of being one of the lowest-cost producers of electricity in the world and among the top five utilities in terms of size and energy sales.

Eskom sells 41% of the electrical energy generated to local authorities, who distribute and resell the energy to end users. Loans and Eskom's capital reserves, which are run on business principles, finance utility investment for the benefit of its customers.

Staff and Community Responsibilities Eskom has a staff development scheme that encourages employees to develop their potential through training programs that support employment equity. The scheme also supports black economic empowerment as part of the utility's procurement policies and managerial support programs. In structuring its policies, Eskom accepts its responsibility as a corporate citizen, continually working toward environmental sustainability and socioeconomic improvement.

Eskom supports the African Renaissance vision, described as, "The discovery and new understanding of Africa's pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial heritage and an appreciation of the value of age-old indigenous knowledge. The exercising of the right to define what it means to be African, and to find unique African solutions for African problems, whilst developing a pride in all things African."

Eskom sees itself as a major player in this vision as it develops an energy infrastructure and leverages the continent's technological resources to benefit all of Africa.

Future Strategy Eskom has formed the strategic intent to become Africa's preeminent energy and related services business of global stature. To this end, the utility established the non-regulated subsidiary Eskom Enterprises in 1999. Already, this company is undertaking projects throughout Africa in the generation, transmission, distribution, telecommunication and technology consulting areas. An example of this latest Eskom business initiative is the Motraco Project in Mozambique, a joint venture with the Swaziland Electricity Board and EDM (Mozambique) to develop an independent power supply to Mozam-bique's Mozal Aluminum Plant.