Notably, Eskom’s long-term sustainability is being addressed alongside the improvement in generation capacity.- Ramokgopa
Johannesburg- Eskom, South Africa’s electricity utility company, has seen a notable increase in energy generation capacity, according to Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
In a recent announcement, Dr Ramokgopa revealed that the average energy generation had risen from 28,000 megawatts (MW) to nearly 29,000 MW over the past week.
Minister of Electricity Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa briefs media on the Energy Action Plan
This positive trend has been attributed to the efforts of Eskom’s leadership, including the Board led by Mpho Makwana, Acting Eskom CEO Calib Cassim, and Head of Generation Bheki Nxumalo, and their respective teams. Dr Ramokgopa expressed his gratitude towards them for their dedication and hard work.
Specifically, Eskom’s generation capacity during the period of August 7th to 11th reached 28,932 MW and surpassed the 29,000 MW mark twice. These figures were shared by Dr Ramokgopa during a media briefing, where he also discussed the progress of the Energy Action Plan (EAP) and provided insight into the weekly generation outlook.
Dr Ramokgopa emphasized that the recent surge in demand during the winter season led to increased load shedding stages, as the system operator balanced the grid. However, as South Africa enters a milder period and demand decreases, the expectation is that load shedding will be less severe.
Notably, Eskom’s long-term sustainability is being addressed alongside the improvement in generation capacity. To ensure reliability, the team is focusing on ramping up planned outages and reducing the need for service and maintenance during peak periods. By doing so, the aim is to have as many units as possible in operation, producing the required megawatts.
The Energy Minister also shared updates on key performance indicators, stating that Eskom breached the 60% energy availability factor (EAF) as demand declined. However, he highlighted the importance of conducting necessary maintenance to uphold long-term sustainability. The unplanned capacity loss factor (UCLF) has also shown improvement, dropping from 18,000 MW in previous weeks to an average of 15,000 MW, with plans to further reduce it to under 14,000 MW.
Despite these positive developments, Dr Ramokgopa acknowledged that there are still challenges to be addressed. Specifically, the issue of partial load losses, where units are producing the required megawatts but not at the desired performance levels, is a concern. The Minister assured the public that addressing these underperforming units is a top priority and emphasized the importance of transparent communication regarding progress and setbacks.
The impact of load shedding on the South African economy was not overlooked, as Dr Ramokgopa recognized the devastating effects it has had on employment, businesses, and investor confidence. He stressed that Eskom is committed to resolving these issues by improving underperforming power stations and addressing breakdowns promptly.
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