- Eskom reports that due to higher than anticipated demand, Stage 5 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 today until midnight.
- Thereafter, Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented until 05:00 on Sunday. Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 until 16:00 on Sunday.
Breakdowns have reduced to 16 302MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 3 616MW. Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit each at Arnot, Duvha and two generating units at Matla power stations were returned to service. In the same period, a generating unit each at Grootvlei, Kendal, Kriel and two generating units at Camden power stations were taken offline for repairs. The delay in returning to service a generating unit at Kendal and two generating units at Tutuka power stations is contributing to the current capacity constraints.
Eskom week-on-week EAF (energy availability factor) for week 28, 2023, stands at 56.28%, while the EAF for the first 28 weeks of 2023 stands at 54.00%, which is 5.28 percentage points lower than the EAF of 59.28% for the same period last year – Chris Yelland
Electricity minister and parliament lie about energy availability factor
South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, recently announced that the country’s electricity generation capacity continues to show signs of improvement and stabilisation. He was speaking during his weekly media briefing on progress made regarding the implementation of the Energy Action Plan.
Outlining the generation performance for period 3 -7 July 2023, the Minister said that Eskom has been able to maintain the increased energy availability of more than 60% resulting in lower levels of load shedding.
“The progress we’re making is tribute to the fact that we’ve stayed the course. We’ve received a number of criticism, arguing that government doesn’t have a plan and our consistent message was that we have a plan and we are going to deliver against that plan. We have been able to maintain the trend line, we are approximating that 60% energy availability factor. In megawatts terms, you can see the running average for the week is about 28 272,” Ramokgopa said.
In a statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 5 July 2023, the South African government welcomed the improvement in Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor, which is now closer to 70%, they said.
Eskom’s own records on EAF to date reveal that both the electricity minister and parliament have lied to the people of South Africa.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
