South Africa is preparing to identify a transaction adviser to create a fully independent transmission system operator by the end of next year, a process that will include engaging with possible equity investors. Establishing the TSO is a crucial step in South Africa’s reform of its electricity sector, which seek to liberalize the grid to attract supply from private generators and create a platform for competitive power trading after years of damaging outages. The announcement signals an ambitious timeline for transferring the transmission assets of state-owned electricity utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. to the TSO.