South Africa has gone 200 days without load shedding. File picture
ESKOM on Sunday announced it has successfully delivered 200 consecutive days of uninterrupted power supply since March 26, as a result of its Generation Operational Recovery Plan.
The power utility said this plan has reduced unplanned outages by 8.6% and improved the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) by 7.7% which has enhanced the reliability of its general fleet and positively impacted the economic outlook and Eskom’s profitability.
It said the plan is projected to contribute to a potential 2% growth in the South African economy and improve Eskom’s financial performance for the 2025 financial year (April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025).
Eskom group chief executive Dan Marokane expressed his excitement on the latest figures.
“We are in an incredibly exciting industry at a moment of tangible change. In preparation for a competitive electricity market this is a significant milestone to ensure energy security and attracting investment to South Africa. We are days away from a further milestone that demonstrates the stability of our fleet, on Saturday, October 19, 2024, we are on track to reach 206 days without load shedding, a result we last delivered five years ago on October 15, 2019,” Marokane said.
Eskom group executive for generation Bheki Nxumalo said the dedication of all Eskom employees has been crucial in driving these positive outcomes, and their contributions are clearly reflected in the results.
“We wish to convey our thanks to all our employees for reaching this achievement and we recognise that this is the result of immense hard work and time spent away from friends and families to deliver a national imperative in a high-pressure turnaround environment,” Nxumalo said.
Eskom board chairperson Mteto Nyati explained that to address the crisis the current Eskom board inherited when they took office in October 2022, it conducted an independent investigation and consulted with power station management using a data-driven approach to create the Generation Recovery Plan.
“Today’s achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team in implementing this plan. It demonstrates that with the right leadership, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges.
"Eskom’s journey towards a stable and reliable power supply is well on track, and we remain focused on sustaining this progress for the benefit of all South Africans. The Eskom b oard is grateful for the support and collaborative efforts of all our key stakeholders, including the government and the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) members which enabled us to reach this milestone today,” Nyati said.
The power utility said it remains focused on achieving financial and operational sustainability by implementing ongoing structural improvements to enhance the reliability of its generation fleet. The target is to reach a 70% EAF by March 2025, which would not only ensure a stable energy supply but also reduce diesel expenditure.
Eskom said it was also focusing on reducing its municipal arrears debt, strengthening measures to combat crime and corruption, and developing a skilled workforce to secure its long-term success.
“As part of its strategy to foster a competitive energy industry, significant progress is being made towards the legal separation of Eskom’s operations. Plans are in place to establish independent generation and distribution subsidiaries under Eskom Holdings SOC Limited within the same time frame.
“This restructuring aims to enhance efficiency and strengthen the company’s future sustainability. Eskom is further committed to diversifying its energy sources by launching 2,000MW of clean energy projects as part of its push for a sustainable energy future,” Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said.