- South Africa’s state owned and state run energy utility, Eskom, reports that Stage 6 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 on Tuesday until further notice.
- Overnight, a further two units at Lethabo and Matla power stations will need to be shutdown for urgent repairs.
Breakdowns are currently at 16 210MW of generating capacity while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 5 894MW. Since yesterday, a generating unit each at Kriel and Medupi power stations was taken offline for repairs. In the same period a generating unit at Arnot, Kendal, Kriel and Lethabo power stations were returned to service.
The delay in returning to service a generating unit each at Hendrina and Tutuka power stations is also contributing to the current capacity constraints. Eskom’s load forecast for the evening peak demand is 28 603MW and we appeal to the members of the public to continue reducing demand by switching off non-essential appliances.
Related news: South Africa’s electricity minister called out by activists for his fat salary and hypocrisy
Most recent Eskom update on twittter:
Energy availability factor concerns
Image credit: Eskom
Respected energy analysts, Chris Yelland from EE Business Intelligence, explains that graphs 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
History tells us that the country can expect higher stages of loadshedding leading into year end.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
