Image via: Gerhard Roux via Wikimedia Commons
Would you buy a reactor business off Eskom? They probably aren’t the most reliable seller on the market, but their plans for the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) – a branch of the state-owned entity’s technology division – suggests that they are trying to shift some of their responsibilities elsehwere.
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The document used to draw up these proposals highlights that, while the PBMR could be used like conventional nuclear reactors to generate electricity, it could also be utilised in other applications like hydrogen production or water desalination. Eskom has been in possession of the company since April 2012, but it looks like they’re ready to try a new approach after eight years.
Cynics suggest that this “sacrifice” of a smaller state business is being done to help save the the utility’s own sinking ship. Eskom has already hinted they are ready to open the door to independent power providers (IPPs), and this latest move looks like the state-owned company is warming to the idea of “privatisation-lite”.
Eskom clarify PBMR move
Eskom stressed that they are gearing up to sell their Pebble Bed, and set a one-month deadline for applicants to explain what they would do with the reactor. The closing date falls on Friday 28 February.
“The company seeks to take PBMR out of care and maintenance and commercialise it for business. Companies interesting in investing, buying and working with the PBRM are invited to submit an expression of interest (EoI), to detail further proposals.”
“Eskom intends to dispose of the company, providing the market with unrestricted access to pursue. The EoI is therefore market research to determine the nature and scope of public interest.”
You can read the Eskom statement here:
#EskomMediaStatement
Clarifying the Expression of Interest on Pebble Bed Modular Reactor @SABCNewsOnline @IOL @ewnupdates @eNCA @Fin24 @News24 @TheCitizen_News @SAgovnews @MiningWeekly @ESIAfrica @EngNewsZA pic.twitter.com/u1G1khY1rL
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) January 31, 2020
