Eskom stabilises power supply: a winter overview without load shedding

As winter grips South Africa, Eskom on Friday noted significant strides in stabilising its power system with an improved Energy Availability Factor (EAF) ensuring reliability during peak electricity demand.

Since May 15, the power utility has not resorted to load shedding, a significant turnaround for a company long synonymous with national power shortages.

The latest data reveals that Eskom's generation fleet is steering towards greater stability, with more than half (57%) of its 14 coal-fired power stations now functioning at an EAF exceeding 70%.

Notably, three of these stations have surpassed an impressive 90% operational efficiency.

Reflecting on the current state of the power system, unplanned outages are reported to be at 8 525MW—marking the lowest figures in recent history.

This is a significant improvement from last year, when outages averaged above 10 000MW, pushing Eskom to implement prompt measures during periods of peak demand.

On Friday, anticipated electricity demand stood at 27 837MW, which Eskom was confident it could meet with its reported available generation capacity of 30 882MW.

With planned maintenance running at an average of 4 745MW, Eskom said operational stability looks promising as the utility gears up for the winter months ahead.

The ongoing winter outlook, which was published in May, remains optimistic as it indicated that load shedding will not be necessary as long as unplanned outages stay under 13 000MW.

Drilling deeper into Eskom's measures, a notable upgrade in generation performance has been indicated by a decrease in the Unplanned Capability Loss Factor (UCLF)—which reflects the percentage of generation capacity lost to unplanned outages—now at 19.94%.

The power utility aims to return 3 075MW of generation capacity to service by Monday, marking a proactive strategy to handle peak demands efficiently, especially as the winter period progresses.

Frozen in time are the budgeted costs for diesel usage, with Eskom staying within financial estimates for its Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) plants.

Despite a slight decrease in the diesel load factor, it remains significantly higher compared to last year, providing reassurance amidst the winter chill.

As part of its ongoing efforts to maintain a stable electricity supply, Eskom encouraged all users to act responsibly during the winter season.

The utility is gravely concerned about illegal connections, which could strain the system and lead to catastrophic outages—resulting in excessive damage to critical infrastructure. To counter this, Eskom has announced measures to enforce load reductions in high-risk areas, urging customers to purchase electricity only through accredited channels.

In keeping with Eskom's commitment to equitable energy access, households are invited to register for free basic electricity through their local municipalities, highlighting the utility's dedication to supporting the most vulnerable communities during this demanding season.

Looking to the future, Eskom is set to provide another update on power system performance on Friday while maintaining open lines for communication concerning any significant developments as they arise.

BUSINESS REPORT