The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has announced that interim CEO Segomoco Scheppers will conclude his secondment and return to State-owned Eskom.

He had been seconded to lead the transition and operationalise the NTCSA business in July 2024 owing to his extensive experience in Eskom’s transmission division.

Scheppers served at the NTCSA while the executive search process was under way to appoint a permanent CEO for the subsidiary.

While he had been shortlisted for the permanent role, the NTCSA board has not yet identified the candidate to lead the business into its next phase, the NTCSA said.

“The NTCSA and Eskom boards are committed to expediting the executive search and securing the appointment of a CEO who will navigate the complexities of operating in a competitive energy market,” it added.

A formal announcement will be made in due course regarding the appointment of an interim CEO of NTCSA to maintain the continued execution of the strategy, including bringing an accelerated Transmission Development Plan, ongoing operational unbundling activities as required by legislation and establishing a fair, competitive market for electricity.

“We owe Segomoco a debt for the skills he brought to bear to take the transmission business to a point of separation and creating the NTCSA as a wholly owned subsidiary of Eskom.

“The NTCSA serves as an important catalyst in the country's evolving energy supply industry and ending the vertical integration business model for the benefit of consumers,” said NTCSA chairperson Priscillah Mabelane.

Scheppers played a critical role in delivering the NTCSA that is designed to provide the benefits of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act.

The Act paves the way for the necessary reforms in South Africa’s electricity sector, including the establishment of a competitive electricity market that will contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s energy security and inclusive economic development, she said.