By Lerato Mpembe
South Africa has reached a significant milestone, marking 200 consecutive days without load shedding on Sunday, 13 October 2024. This achievement underscores the success of the country’s ongoing efforts to stabilize its electricity supply and achieve long-term energy security. Minister of Energy and Electricity, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, is set to brief the media at Lethabo Power Station on Monday, 14 October 2024, to discuss the progress made and future plans under the Energy Action Plan (EAP).
The Eskom Generation Operational Recovery Plan, which began on 26 March 2024, has played a crucial role in maintaining uninterrupted power supply. This period of load shedding suspension includes a load-shedding-free winter, spanning from 1 April to 31 August 2024, and has seen improvements in operational efficiencies across Eskom’s power generation fleet.
Key Highlights from Eskom’s Update
Eskom issued a media statement on Friday, 11 October 2024, celebrating the 200-day mark. According to the statement, Eskom has recorded substantial diesel savings, amounting to R12.03 billion year-on-year. The utility’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has averaged 63.1% for the current financial year, showcasing a significant improvement from last year’s levels .
Unplanned outages have decreased, with Eskom reporting an average of 12,087 MW over the past week, compared to 15,065 MW in the corresponding period last year. This improvement is primarily due to reductions in the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which fell by 8.6% compared to the previous year .
Eskom’s Strategic Focus on Efficiency and Maintenance
The strategy includes a robust maintenance program with 5,521 MW currently under planned maintenance. Eskom’s top-performing power stations, including Kusile and Duvha, maintained an EAF above 70%, highlighting the utility’s focus on enhancing the reliability of its coal-fired power plants .
The sustained reduction in reliance on Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) has also been a noteworthy success. Eskom reported that OCGT usage between 1 April and 10 October 2024 was 67% lower than the same period last year. This strategic shift has contributed to decreased operational costs and a more resilient power supply .
Addressing Illegal Connections and Public Safety Concerns
Despite the successes, Eskom continues to face challenges, particularly in curbing illegal electricity connections, meter tampering, and unauthorized network activities. In response, the utility launched the ‘Save Your Transformers, Save Lives’ campaign, urging communities to report illegal activities and avoid purchasing electricity from unlicensed vendors. Such actions are essential to prevent overloading and protect transformers, which are vital for sustaining uninterrupted power delivery .
Minister Ramokgopa’s Media Briefing
Dr. Ramokgopa’s media briefing on 14 October will offer insights into the ongoing implementation of the EAP and how South Africa plans to maintain this trajectory. His remarks will likely cover future initiatives aimed at further reducing the frequency and duration of power outages, as well as ongoing plans to diversify energy sources and integrate renewable energy into the national grid.
Outlook and Future Initiatives
As South Africa continues its journey towards energy security, Eskom has outlined its optimistic outlook for the upcoming summer period, projecting sustained improvements through to 31 March 2025. The utility is also expected to continue with infrastructure investments to support these efforts and ensure that the country remains free from the threat of load shedding.
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