On Friday, 13 December 2024 Eskom reached a milestone of 261 consecutive days without loadshedding, achieved through the successful implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan since March 2023. This accomplishment has resulted in significant cost savings and enhanced reliability of the coal-fired fleet, ensuring a stable and reliable power supply for all South Africans.
The recovery plan has resulted in year-on-year diesel savings of R16.46 billion, approximately 67.7% less than the R24.32 billion spent during the same period last year. Diesel usage remains below the year-to-date budget.
Eskom can confirm that resulting from yesterday’s Matla Power station incident, a further preliminary assessment with clear visibility of the site, indicates that the rupture of a high-pressure steam steel pipe above the Unit 6 dry and service transformers caused yesterday evening’s incident. Technical teams remain on-site, assessing the situation, establishing the damage, and determining the size and scope of the repairs required. At this stage, there is no evidence of sabotage.
In August, Eskom shared its Summer Outlook for the period from 01 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, predicting a likely scenario of a loadshedding-free summer due to structural generation improvements. This outlook remains unchanged.
Over the past week, the average total unplanned outages have been at 12 499MW, an improvement from the 13 827MW recorded during the same period last year, representing a reduction of 1 328MW. Today’s unplanned outages are at 12 486MW, which is 514MW lower than the summer 2024 base case.
Eskom’s EAF was at an average of 57.6% over the past week and 62.7% year-to-date, with top-performing stations — including Camden, Majuba, Medupi, and peaking stations — achieving an average EAF of 70% and above. Two other power stations recorded EAFs above 60%.
With an available generation capacity of 27 369MW and a peak demand forecast of 23 967MW for tonight, Eskom remains on track to meet electricity demand. By Tuesday evening, an additional 4 020MW is expected to return online.
Key Performance Highlights:
Reduction in unplanned outages:
• The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) is at 24.9% for the financial year-to-date (01 April 2024 to 12 December 2024), improving from 33.3% in the corresponding period last year.
• This reduction in UCLF represents a ~8.4% improvement compared to the same period last year.
Ongoing Planned Maintenance:
Ongoing planned maintenance increased to 7 619MW, aligning with our summer maintenance strategy to further improve the reliability of the stations in preparation for winter 2025 and beyond.
Sustained Energy Availability Factor (EAF) improvement:
• The year-to-date (01 April 2024 to 12 December 2024) EAF is at 62.7%, a significant improvement of ~7.2% compared to the same period last year (55.4%).
• The weekly EAF has improved from 57.0% at the beginning of the financial year to 57.5% from 09 to 12 December 2024, a slight improvement of 0.5%.
Continued strategic utilisation of Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs):
Our strategic use of peaking stations, including pumped storage and OCGTs, remains key in managing electricity demand during peak times, particularly during evening peaks (17:00 to 22:00).
• Eskom’s expenditure on OCGTs between 01 April and 12 December 2024 was about R7.86 billion having generated 1 222.37GWh, approximately 67.7% (R16.46 billion) less than the R24.32 billion spent last year over the same period for 3 897.15GWh.
• The OCGT load factor for 01 April to 12 December 2024 stabilised at 5.83%, compared to last year’s figure of 18.58%.
• The OCGT load factor for 01 December to 12 December 2024 was 17.68%, significantly higher than the 1.86% for the same period last year but this is seen as temporary given the current improvement.
• Diesel usage remains below the year-to-date budget.
‘Save Your Transformers, Save Lives’ campaign
While loadshedding remains suspended, Eskom continues to face network overloading issues in certain local areas due to illegal connections, vandalism, meter tampering, unauthorised network operations, theft of network equipment, and purchasing electricity from unlicensed vendors.
To prevent public safety hazards and the risk of network overloading, which can lead to load reduction measures and extended unplanned power outages, Eskom strongly urges customers to avoid illegal connections. Such actions can negatively impact the entire local community and result in hefty remedial fines. It is also essential for customers to purchase electricity only from authorised vendors.
Eskom urges the public to help protect the integrity of the power network by reporting any illegal activities to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.
Following the deadline for updating pre-paid meters to KRN2 (Key Revision Number 2) at 20:15 on Sunday, November 24, 2024, Eskom has successfully recoded 5.64 million pre-paid meters. This includes approximately 400,000 zero buyers who have now become paying customers. Today marks the end of the grace period given to zero buyers to regularise their accounts. Starting from December 14, 2024, Eskom will resume normal operations but will intensify the auditing of meters and installations. This will include issuing tamper fines, potentially up to R12,000, and could involve criminal charges for repeated offences.
For a list of Eskom-accredited electricity vending outlets across the country, visit:
https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024123Vending-outlets.xlsx
We will provide an update on Friday, 20 December 2024, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.
About Eskom and Electricity – Primary Function: Eskom generates, transmits, and distributes electricity.
Midnight Bat
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