REUTERS

Electricity pylons carry power from Cape Town's Koeberg nuclear power plant July 17, 2009.

State-owned companies will invest billions of rand in the Free State over the next five years, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Friday.

Eskom would start capital projects of R2.48 billion during this period in the province involving distribution and transmission equipment.

“In this regard, there would be 42 business opportunities for local businesses to take advantage of,” said Gigaba.

He was briefing reporters after meeting the chief executives of state-owned enterprises.

Gigaba said the Free State would also get its share of the R22.8 billion long-term railway upgrade plan due to its centrality in the country.

Harrismith would be included in the Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal infrastructure development corridor.

There were also plans to open the passenger railway line between Maseru in Lesotho, Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo, and Bloemfontein. The line might even be extended to Kimberley.

Gigaba said some 42,000 commuters moved daily between the Botshabelo area, 60 kilometres west of Bloemfontein, and the city.

These commuters used buses, taxis, and other private transport.

Other infrastructure investment projects included SA Express adding a flying route between the Lanseria airport and Bloemfontein.

State-owned company Broadband Infraco would participate in expansive opportunities identified in the Free State.

On the Eskom business opportunities, Gigaba said workshops would be held with local businesses on the plans, informing them how they could take advantage of the opportunities.

He said the power utility briefed the provincial government on the tight national electricity supply situation.

Free State municipalities owed Eskom R254 million in unpaid electricity fees - money Eskom urgently needed to finance maintenance and expansion projects.

“We still need South Africans to save power and pay for their usages.”

Gigaba said there was no concrete agreement on how Eskom would get its money, but talks would be held with the provincial government and municipalities. - Sapa