Eskom plans to expand electricity infrastructure by adding 14,000 km of transmission lines

Eskom has announced an ambitious plan to expand its electricity infrastructure by constructing 14,000 kilometres of new transmission lines.

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa announced at a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday that the project will cost no less than R440 billion. 

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The new transmission lines are expected to strengthen Eskom's existing network. 

Ramokgopa said the expansion will help improve universal access to electricity. 

"We will be able to connect people in remote and rural areas. Part of the problem we haven't achieved universal access is the cost associated with connecting people because we have to build the backbone infrastructure, which is transmission lines."