Kusile Unit 6 begins commissioning process with the successful first fire on coal

• The investment in the Generation Recovery Plan continues to enable the suspension of loadshedding, with 268 consecutive days achieved since 26 March 2024. 
• Eskom is utilising the December summer break to increase planned maintenance activities to further improve the reliability of its generation fleet as many industries have shut down for this period, with maintenance at over the 8 000MW mark. 
• This week, another milestone was reached in the commissioning process of Kusile Unit 6, with the successful first fire on coal.
• This achievement means commissioning activities are now in full swing, bringing us closer to adding 800MW to the grid for the first time.

The recovery plan significantly improved operational performance, particularly by reducing unplanned outages by ~8% compared to the same period last year. Additionally, there was a year-on-year diesel savings of R16.06 billion, which is about 65.4% less than the R24.57 billion spent during the same period last year. Diesel usage remains below the year-to-date budget.

In August, Eskom shared its Summer Outlook for the period from 01 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, predicting a likely scenario of a loadshedding-free summer, including the festive season, due to structural generation improvements. This outlook remains unchanged.

Over the past week, the average total unplanned outages have been at 11 668MW, an improvement from the 12 312MW recorded during the same period last year, representing a reduction of 644MW. Today’s unplanned outages are at 10 815MW, which is 2 185MW lower than the summer 2024 base case. 

Eskom’s EAF was at an average of 57.4% over the past week and 62.54% year-to-date, with top-performing stations — including Camden, Majuba, and peaking stations — achieving an average EAF of 70% and above. Four other power stations recorded EAFs above 60%.

With an available generation capacity of 28 197MW and a peak demand forecast of 23 956MW for tonight, Eskom remains on track to meet electricity demand. By Tuesday evening, an additional 2 950MW is expected to return online.

Key Performance Highlights:

Reduction in unplanned outages:

• The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) is at 24.9% for the financial year-to-date (01 April 2024 to 19 December 2024), improving from 33.1% in the corresponding period last year.
• This reduction in UCLF represents a ~8.1% improvement compared to the same period last year.

Ongoing Planned Maintenance:

Ongoing planned maintenance increased to 8 640MW, aligning with our summer maintenance strategy to further improve the reliability of the stations in preparation for winter 2025 and beyond.

Sustained Energy Availability Factor (EAF) improvement:

• The year-to-date (01 April 2024 to 19 December 2024) EAF is at 62.54%, a significant improvement of ~7.1% compared to the same period last year (55.42%).
• The weekly EAF has improved from 57.0% at the beginning of the financial year to 57.41% from 16 to 19 December 2024, a slight improvement of 0.4%. 

Continued strategic utilisation of Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs):

Our strategic use of peaking stations, including pumped storage and OCGTs, remains key in managing electricity demand during peak times, particularly during evening peaks (17:00 to 22:00).

• Eskom’s expenditure on OCGTs between 01 April and 19 December 2024 was about R8.51 billion having generated 1 330.71GWh, approximately 65.4% (R16.06 billion) less than the R24.57 billion spent last year over the same period for 3 934.22GWh.
• The OCGT load factor for 01 April to 19 December 2024 stabilised at 6.18%, compared to last year’s figure of 18.26%.
• The OCGT load factor for 01 December to 19 December 2024 was 18.12%, significantly higher than the 3.56% for the same period last year but this is seen as temporary given the current improvement.
• Diesel usage remains below the year-to-date budget.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal

Data source: Eskom