Eskom has achieved 100 consecutive days without load-shedding, a milestone the power utility says reflects the enhanced reliability and performance of its generation fleet.
The last time it achieved a prolonged period without load-shedding was from September 8 to December 11, 2020.
“The achievement of 100 continuous days without load-shedding is the outcome of diligent execution of recovery plans and the tireless efforts of our 40 000 dedicated and skilled Eskom employees," said Bheki Nxumalo, Eskom group executive for generation.
“If we maintain a 70% Energy Availability Factor (EAF) and add significant capacity within the country, we can ensure adequate available capacity to meet demand without a significant risk of load-shedding.”
However, Eskom group chief executive, Dan Marokane, said the risk of load-shedding remained.
“Considering the intensity and the levels of load-shedding in 2023, the ability to get to 100 days without load-shedding is significant, while acknowledging that the risk of load-shedding still exists,” Marokane said.
Eskom said it had achieved the suspension of load-shedding and also significantly decreased the use of open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) that supplement generation capacity during peak demand times.
“The 100-day milestone includes around a R6.2-billion reduction in OCGT diesel expenditure from April 1 to June 30, compared to the same period last year, and if we maintain our trajectory on reduced diesel spend, it will be a strong driver in a possible return to profit in FY25,” Marokane said.
Eskom added that its targeted initiatives had led to a gradual reduction of unplanned losses of the generation fleet from 18 000MW to an average of 12 000MW, an improvement of 6 000MW since May 2023. This contributed to a sustained improvement in the energy availability factor (EAF), which has increased from 54.56% at the end of the 2023/24 financial year to a year-to-date achievement of 61.50% over the past three months.
The power utility said it was grateful to the government, the National Energy Crisis Committee, and other stakeholders for their collaboration, which enabled the successful execution of its plans.
“Our immediate focus remains on implementing the Generation Operational Recovery Plan, aiming to recover about 1 600MW from the generation coal fleet following the successful commercial operation of Kusile Unit 5 and 930MW from Koeberg Unit 2 before the end of the calendar year. This will significantly improve the EAF by the end of March 2025.”
It has vowed to persist in implementing the operational recovery plan, strengthening governance, and future-proofing the organisation to ensure energy security, growth, and long-term sustainability for the benefit of South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said the achievement was “a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of all those involved in the energy sector”.
