Eskom
By Mpho Moloi
Eskom’s Generation Operational Recovery Plan has achieved a major milestone: six consecutive months of uninterrupted power supply since 26 March 2024. This marked 185 days without loadshedding, aligning with the company’s commitment to ensuring energy security across South Africa. Alongside operational efficiencies, Eskom has also realized significant financial savings, reducing diesel expenditures by R11.33 billion year-on-year.
Loadshedding Suspension and Operational Efficiency
The operational recovery plan introduced by Eskom in early 2024 continues to show promising results. Not only has the power utility been able to suspend loadshedding for over six months, but it has also improved its overall operational efficiency. This comes as a welcome relief for millions of South Africans who have been grappling with periodic outages over the past few years.
Eskom’s operational efficiency over the summer period has remained in line with expectations. Unplanned outages have averaged 11,911MW during the past week, a considerable improvement from 14,800MW during the same period in 2023. These unplanned outages have been further mitigated by proactive measures, ensuring the grid remains stable while meeting the country’s rising energy demands.
Enhanced Maintenance and Diesel Savings
Since the beginning of the summer period (01 September to 26 September 2024), Eskom has significantly ramped up its planned maintenance efforts. Maintenance levels have averaged 6,356MW, a marked improvement from the 5,294MW recorded in the same period last year. This increase is aimed at improving the reliability of Eskom’s generation fleet and enhancing grid stability.
In contrast to previous years, Eskom’s diesel costs have seen a drastic reduction. Between 01 April and 26 September 2024, the utility spent R5.78 billion on diesel, compared to a staggering R17.11 billion during the same period in 2023. This significant drop has been attributed to reduced reliance on the Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) plants and improved efficiency across Eskom’s generation fleet. The reduction in diesel expenditure has provided much-needed relief to the utility’s operational budget, further boosting financial performance.
Increased Energy Availability and Reliability
Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has also shown positive trends throughout 2024. Over the past week, the EAF averaged 59%, with a year-to-date figure of 63%. This represents an 8.1% improvement compared to the same period in 2023, where the EAF stood at 55.2%. Top-performing stations like Kusile, Majuba, and Camden have consistently maintained an EAF above 70%, contributing to the overall stability of the national grid.
The improvement in the EAF can be primarily attributed to a reduction in the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which fell to 25.4% for the financial year to date, down from 34.3% in 2023. This roughly 9% improvement has played a crucial role in reducing the frequency and severity of unplanned outages. During the past week, unplanned outages averaged 11,911MW, significantly lower than the 15,934MW recorded during the same week last year.
Strategic Use of Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs)
While loadshedding remains suspended, Eskom has strategically utilized its OCGT plants to meet peak electricity demands during the colder months of 2024. Due to delays in restoring a full 2,685MW of generation capacity, OCGTs have been employed to manage electricity demand during evening peaks, particularly between 17:00 and 22:00.
Diesel consumption, however, remains well below projected figures. Eskom’s expenditure on OCGTs between 01 April and 26 September 2024 amounted to R5.78 billion, generating approximately 861.83GWh. This represents a 66% reduction compared to the same period last year when R17.11 billion was spent. The OCGT load factor for 01 April to 26 September 2024 stood at 5.88%, a significant drop from the 19.2% recorded in 2023. This reduction is largely due to Eskom’s ability to manage electricity demand through improved fleet performance and optimized energy resources.
Planned Maintenance Efforts
Eskom’s ongoing maintenance efforts continue to play a pivotal role in sustaining grid reliability. Currently, planned maintenance is being conducted at a level of 7,754MW, in line with the company’s summer maintenance strategy. This short-term maintenance is intended to ensure continuous reliability and readiness of the generation fleet, especially during periods of higher demand.
The recovery plan, accelerated maintenance, and collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have all contributed to the improvements witnessed in 2024. Eskom remains committed to optimizing these efforts to keep the power grid stable while minimizing the risk of future loadshedding.
Customer Outreach and Public Safety Campaigns
Despite the success in suspending loadshedding, Eskom continues to face challenges related to network overloading. Illegal connections, meter tampering, and unauthorized operations have resulted in local grid issues, which could impact power supply stability in certain areas. Eskom has launched the “Save Your Transformers, Save Lives” campaign to address these challenges and encourage communities to avoid illegal electricity connections.
The public is urged to report any suspicious activities to the Eskom Crime Line, helping to safeguard the integrity of the power network. Ensuring that electricity is purchased only from authorized vendors is crucial to preventing further disruptions and enhancing the overall safety of the network.
Outlook for the Summer Period
In August 2024, Eskom released its outlook for the summer period, indicating that loadshedding is unlikely between 01 September 2024 and 31 March 2025, thanks to structural improvements in generation capacity. As of 27 September 2024, Eskom’s available generation capacity stands at 28,086MW, with an evening peak forecast of 26,658MW. With approximately 2,880MW of generating capacity expected to return to service by 30 September 2024, Eskom remains confident in its ability to meet summer demand without resorting to loadshedding.
Eskom’s operational efforts and financial savings mark a significant shift from previous years. The suspension of loadshedding for over six months and the R11.33 billion saved in diesel expenditure demonstrate the strides the company has made in stabilizing the power supply and enhancing its operational efficiency.
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