- South Africa’s state owned and state run energy utility, Eskom, reports that Stage 4 loadshedding will continue to be implemented daily until 05:00 on Sunday.
- Thereafter, Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented until 16:00.
- This is necessary due to the need to recover emergency generation reserves, and the generation maintenance to be implemented in preparation for the coming week.
Breakdowns are currently at 14 953MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 5 914MW.
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In the last 12 hours a generating unit at Arnot and Kriel power stations were taken offline for repairs. Subsequently, a generating unit at Arnot, Duvha and Tutuka power stations was returned to service.
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The delay in returning to service a generating unit at Kendal and Tutuka Power Stations is also contributing to the current capacity constraints.
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Eskom teams are working tirelessly to return these generating units to service.
Eskom’s load forecast for the evening peak demand is 27 639MW and we appeal to the members of the public to continue reducing demand by switching off non-essential appliances.
Eskom energy availability factor is in decline
Image credit: Eskom
Respected energy analyst, Chris Yelland from EE Business Intelligence explains: “The graphs above show Eskom energy availability factor (EAF) from week 1, 2021, to week 34, 2023. EAF for week 34, 2023, is 55.32%, compared to 61.10% for week 34, 2022. The EAF for the 2023 calendar year to date is 54.52%, compared to 59.78% for the same period in 2022.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
