. Legislation for the creation of an Independent Electricity System Operator (ISMO) was introduced in Parliament by the Department of Energy and is expected to be promulgated during 2012. . Following the Minister's directive, Eskom has ring-fenced the System and Market Operator (SMO) unit. The implementation plan to establish the SMO as a subsidiary is being finalised. . Approximately 248 000 households were electrified during the period from November 2010 to November 2011, and 3 655 homes were connected to off-grid solar systems.