Eskom has announced the appointment of Jan Oberholzer as its new Chief Operating Officer.

Oberholzer’s appointment comes after the utility’s newly appointed board decided that the size, functional diversity and complexity of Eskom as it stands warrants a three-person top team, which includes a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer and a Chief Operating Officer (COO).

“Whilst a detailed and thorough review of the structure will still need to be undertaken which may necessitate further changes to the structure to mirror the new strategy to be adopted, the Board resolved to prioritise the incorporation of this role, following the appointment of Phakamani Hadebe as the GCEO, in order to begin the process of streamlining operations,” the utility said in a statement.

Oberholzer has spent 24 working at Eskom where he held various positions, including that of the COO of the Distribution Division. Most recently he successfully led the improvement of a number of Hydro power plants in Zambia.

“Jan brings with a wealth of operational experience in the energy sector as well as valuable institutional memory which I am confident will stand him in good stead to successfully reform our operations and set them up for sustainable success” noted Phakamani Hadebe, GCEO of Eskom.

The utility said its board is committed to finding the most suitable candidate for appointment to the GCFO position as this is a critical portfolio. This process will be concluded in the coming weeks.

“On behalf of myself and the Board, I would like to congratulate Oberholzer on his appointment and wish him the best in fulfilling this important mandate,” Hadebe concluded.