- South Africa’s state owned power utility, Eskom, reports that loadshedding (blackouts) remains suspended until further notice, due to the on-going structural improvement in the reliability of the generation fleet.
- Loadshedding has currently been suspended for 65 consecutive days.
- The last time South Africa experienced such an extended suspension of loadshedding was the period between 5 December 2021 and 2 February 2022.
The Eskom Generation Operational Recovery Plan, initiated in March 2023, along with extensive planned maintenance, continue to deliver the improved reliability and availability of the generation fleet.
Key Performance Highlights:
- Reduction in unplanned outages:
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- The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) decreased to 28.37% in the financial year to date (1 April 2024 to 30 May 2024), a reduction from 35.5% recorded in the same period last year (1 April 2023 to 30 May 2023).
- This reduction in UCLF, represents a 7.5% improvement in the current financial year (1 April 2024 to 30 May 2024) as compared to the previous year in the same period.
- Planned Maintenance
- The current planned maintenance of 4 121MW is consistent with our maintenance plans for this winter.
- Sustained Energy Availability Factor (EAF) improvement:
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- The year-to-date (1 April 2024 to 30 May 2024) EAF increased to 61.0%. This is a significant 8.3% improvement compared to the same period last year (1 April 2023 to 30 May 2023), where the EAF was 52.7%.
- The weekly EAF has moved from 57.0% to 65.0% from 1 April to 30 May 2024.
- The EAF improvement is primarily due to a drop in the unplanned outages of the generation units which averaged at 12 500MW in the month of May 2024.
- Strategic utilisation of Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs)
- OCGT usage continue to be significantly lower compared to the same period for the past two years.
- From 1 April 2024 to 30 May 2024, Eskom spent R1.52 billion on OCGTs, producing 221.02 GWh. This is about 79% less than from 1 April 2023 to 30 May 2023 when R7.1 billion was spent to produce 1 159.8GWh.
- The OCGT load factor for 1 May to 30 May 2024 continue to be much less at 2.18% compared to last year’s figure of 28.05% over the same period.
Winter 2024 outlook maintained
- Eskom published on Friday 26 April 2024 its winter outlook and it remains in force.
- Our generation performance continues to surpass the winter forecast for this year.
- The winter forecast anticipated a likely scenario of unplanned outages at 15 500MW and load shedding limited to Stage 2.
- The current unplanned outages average at 12 500MW which is 3 000MW less than what was anticipated.
A total of 3 500MW of generating capacity is planned to be returned to service by Monday 3 June 2024. Eskom’s evening peak demand tonight, Friday 31 May 2024 is 28 503MW.
Demand-side management (DSM)
With temperatures expected to drop this coming weekend, Eskom appeals to the members of the public to use electricity sparingly and efficiently. This includes switching off geysers and pool pumps from 17:00 to 21:00. Doing so lowers demand and helps alleviate pressure on the power system, contributing to lower stages of load shedding.
Eskom will provide an update next Friday 7 June 2024 or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.
Source: Eskom
