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S. African utility seeks Progress Energy alliance

A $15-billion deal would be for training and supplies.

By CRISTINA SILVA, Times Staff Writer
Published December 12, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - A South African energy company is considering a $15-billion deal with Progress Energy.

In the deal, Progress Energy, with headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., would provide Eskom with training and supplies to expand the African utility's services in its native country.

Council member Earnest Williams, who is working to help broker the deal after a trip to South Africa in October to establish economic ties, called the potential contract a "major project."

"It would be tremendous," Williams said. "We are talking about generating jobs, creating extra revenue."

On Tuesday, Progress Energy officials confirmed that they had been contacted by Eskom, but they said the agreement was too preliminary to discuss publicly.

Eskom, the largest energy provider in South Africa, already contracts with energy companies in France and other European nations. It has been interested in establishing business ties in Florida for some time, according to a recent e-mail exchange between Eskom officials and Williams.

Williams traveled to South Africa in October with Enterprise Florida, an Orlando-based organization that promotes statewide economic development.

Williams, who chairs the city's international relations committee, offered to pay his own travel expenses in response to the city's recent budget cuts.

"It was a very productive trip, well worth my money," he said. Other deals with South African corporations are in the works, he said.

Advantage Training Systems, a computer and soft skills training company based in Midtown, is in discussions to provide training to South African workers in preparation for the World Cupin 2010.

"It is very, very exciting," said Gloria Campbell, president of Advantage Training Systems, who also traveled with Enterprise Florida to South Africa. "They look to us because they feel like we have been through where they are now."

Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.

[Last modified December 11, 2007, 23:43:38]