- Eskom has reached 282 consecutive days without implementing loadshedding since 26 March last year.
- The state owned energy utility boasts a year-to-date diesel savings of R16.52 billion.
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 was synchronised to the national grid on 30 December 2024. This milestone follows extensive upgrades as part of a comprehensive Long-Term Operation (LTO) programme aimed at extending the unit’s operational lifespan by 20 years. We are currently in the process of ramping up the unit to its full capacity of 930MW, in accordance with operational procedures. We anticipate reaching full load by mid-January 2025, provided each step meets our commissioning procedure.
Combined, Units 1 and 2 will supply 1 860MW, providing a reliable and stable baseload supply, playing a pivotal role in reducing loadshedding and stabilising the grid. However, unit 1 was shut down in September after isolation valves failure. Read more
Unplanned outages remain on a downward trend at ~8.1% compared to the same period last year. Diesel savings are at R16.52 billion, which is about 65.2% less than the R25.34 billion spent during the same period last year. Diesel usage remains below the year-to-date budget.
Eskom’s year-to-date unplanned outages average is 11 906MW, which is 1 094MW less than our 2024 summer base case of 13 000MW.
Over the past week, the average total unplanned outages have been at 12 108MW, an improvement from the 15 114MW recorded during the same period last year, representing a reduction of 3 006MW. Today’s unplanned outages are at 11 540MW, which is 1 460MW lower than the summer 2024 base case.
The latest Eskom week-on-week energy availability factor EAF for 2024. Data source: Eskom. Image credit: Chris Yelland. Chris is an energy analyst, consultant, electrical engineer, public speaker, writer and MD at EE Business Intelligence (Pty) Ltd. Follow Chris on X – @chrisyelland
Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) averaged 54.65% over the past week due to increased planned maintenance, with Medupi, Kusile and all peaking stations achieving an average EAF of 60% and above. The year-to-date EAF is at 62.17%.
With an available generation capacity of 26 249MW and a peak demand forecast of 23 983MW for tonight, Eskom remains on track to meet electricity demand. By Monday evening, an additional 3 760MW is expected to return online.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
Info source: Eskom
