...JOHANNESBURG (S&P Global Ratings) Feb. 21, 2019--S&P Global Ratings said today that it is considering the implications of new information for its ratings on South Africa-based electricity utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. (Eskom; ###+/Negative/--). This follows the recent announcement by the South African Minister of Finance in his annual budget address that a total of South African rand (ZAR) 69 billion (ZAR23 billion per year for three years) had been provisionally allocated in the budget for supporting the utility's financial position. The national treasury has clarified that the intention of the financial support package, which will have strict conditions attached, is to enable Eskom to service its debt, meet its redemption requirements, and secure the necessary liquidity to undertake urgent maintenance to restore a stable electricity supply. The format and timing of support have not yet been revealed. Separately, government support for Eskom may temper upward pressure on electricity...
