Former Eskom COO shifts focus: Betting big on Mulilo's renewable future

• Former Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer said Mulio will play a significant role in generating renewable power for SA
• Oberholzer, the chairperson of the IPP, said they’ve invested over R55 billion in renewable energy
• He explained that he was in good health and was ready to utilise his 41 years of experience in the IPP

Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered politics and current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.

Former Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer’ said Mulilo would invest R55bn in renewable energy. Images: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg and Stock Image Source: Getty Images

Jan Oberholzer said Mulilo will become a significant player among several electricity generators, including Eskom.

The former Eskom COO now chairs the Independent Power Producer, which would invest over R55 billion in local solar and wind power plants and battery storage.

He told Moneyweb that the investment into renewable energy would be spread over five years.

Oberholzer, who left Eskom in 2023, told the publication that he was in good health and was ready to plough his 41 years of experience into Mulilo.

South Africans weigh in

Many netizens were suspicious of Oberholzer’s move into the IPP sector.

@UnathiAfrika wondered:

“Now just take a moment to imagine if this was Matshela Koko or Brian Molefe. Think of the media brouhaha. Think of the lawsuits. Think of all the commissions and accusations of corruption. Capitalism is, by nature, a racist enterprise.”

@MgmCommunity speculated:

“If Jan had acted with integrity and done his job while at Eskom, the one we paid him lots to perform, this opportunity (for himself and his friends) wouldn’t exist today. This is insider trading/collusion/corruption. This is the work of cartels in our SOE boardrooms.”

@RancatiGiorgio commented:

“He was part of the team who created a better Eskom that we see today.”

@FedixM added:

“Jacob Zuma and the Guptas are accused of stealing R1bn. These buggars stand to benefit R55bn from corruption.”

@2Singithwa said

“Nearly collapsed the power grid, together with his friend, closed down Komati coal power station. Jiki Jiki he comes back with renewable. Big looter this one.”

Eskom is still far from maintaining a steady power supply

Briefly News reported that an independent economic and energy analyst said the stable power supply over the past month (March/April 2024) was due to an exodus of electricity users from the Eskom grid.

Tshepo Kgadima said that despite the eased pressure on the grid, the power utility still had a long way to go before maintaining a steady electricity supply.

Netizens were suspicious of the stable power supply and anticipated higher loadshedding levels after the General Election in 2024.