Eskom

Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, has announced that “Loadshedding remains suspended due to a stable power system,” thanks to ongoing high levels of planned maintenance and a significant 3.3% year-on-year reduction in unplanned outages. In a statement released on Friday, 04 April 2025, the utility highlighted its efforts to keep the lights on, despite a constrained grid due to increased maintenance and higher electricity demand caused by overcast weather across the country. With robust emergency reserves and a focus on fleet reliability, Eskom is delivering good news to South Africans tired of power cuts.

Stable Power System Keeps Loadshedding at Bay

Eskom’s latest update brings a sigh of relief to homes and businesses nationwide. “Loadshedding remains suspended, however the power system is constrained due to ongoing increased planned maintenance and high electricity demand driven by overcast weather conditions nationwide, which are expected to continue until next Wednesday,” the utility said. Despite these challenges, the system remains stable, supported by sufficient emergency reserves to handle peak demand periods.

As of today, Eskom reports that available generation capacity stands at 26,735MW, with tonight’s peak demand forecasted at 26,578MW. This narrow margin shows the system is under pressure, but Eskom’s strategic use of reserves ensures stability. The suspension of loadshedding reflects a marked improvement from recent years when power cuts were a regular occurrence, disrupting daily life and the economy.

Planned Maintenance Boosts Fleet Reliability

A cornerstone of Eskom’s success is its focus on planned maintenance, with 7,034MW of generation capacity currently offline for scheduled repairs. “The high level of planned maintenance aims to enhance fleet reliability for peak winter demand while also ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements,” Eskom explained. This means fixing power stations now to avoid breakdowns later, especially during the cold winter months when South Africans crank up heaters and demand soars.

The year-to-date Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF) is 14.05%, up from 10.93% last year, showing Eskom is tackling more maintenance than ever. This proactive approach is vital for an aging fleet of power plants, many of which have struggled with years of wear and tear. By getting ahead of the problem, Eskom aims to keep the grid humming through the tougher seasons ahead.

Unplanned Outages Drop, Showing Progress

Fewer unexpected breakdowns are another reason for optimism. The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which tracks unplanned outages, has improved to 28.67% for the financial year so far (1 to 3 April 2025), down from 31.92% last year—a 3.3% reduction. At the financial year-end (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025), UCLF improved even more, by about 6.3% compared to the previous year.

From 28 March to 3 April 2025, average unplanned outages dropped to 13,609MW, an improvement of 622MW over the same period last year. Today, unplanned outages sit at 13,608MW, slightly better than last week’s 13,730MW. These numbers might sound technical, but they boil down to one thing: fewer surprises mean fewer blackouts. Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF), a measure of how much power its plants can produce, is steady at 56.58% this year, with last year’s full EAF reaching around 60.6%.

Fuel Savings Lighten the Load

Eskom isn’t just saving power—it’s saving money too. Diesel spending for its Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), which kick in during emergencies, has dropped significantly. Over the past 30 days, Eskom spent R3.4 billion on diesel, a 2.1% decrease from the prior period. For the full financial year (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025), diesel costs fell by R16.51 billion—49.5% less than the R33.35 billion spent the year before.

Year-to-date, Eskom has spent R332 million on OCGT fuel, generating 588.48GWh of power, slightly more than the 400.93GWh from last year. The OCGT load factor jumped to 22.69% this past week (28 March to 3 April 2025), up from 20.83% the week before, and way higher than last year’s 2.17%. This shows Eskom is using these backup turbines smarter, cutting costs while keeping the grid stable.

🔴 Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 99 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: “Edgar Legoale Soccer Schools Programme set to launch, promoting discipline and drug awareness”

Download Here:

Direct PDF Link:

https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Central-News-Issue-099.pdf

Read all our publications on magzter:

https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues

Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.

We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.

Advertisement:

To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za

For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za

Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za

General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za

Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za

Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487

Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za

Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube

centralnewsza #news