Loadshedding suspension remains in force

Friday, 27 September 2024: The Generation Operational Recovery Plan continues to ensure loadshedding remains suspended. Eskom has achieved more than six months (184 consecutive days) of uninterrupted power supply since 26 March 2024. Operational efficiency has remained in line with summer expectations, with unplanned outages averaging 11 911MW over the past seven days, compared to 14 800MW during the same period last year.

From the beginning of the summer period to date (01 September to 26 September 2024), planned maintenance has averaged 6 356MW, an increase from 5 294MW during the same period last year. This increase aims to further enhance the reliability of our generation fleet. Meanwhile, unplanned outages have averaged 11 524MW, a significant improvement from 15 934 MW last year.

Over the past week, the strategic Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) plants have seen extensive usage due to delays in restoring the full 2 685MW generation capacity, which was supposed to be returned to service by Monday, 23 September 2024, as announced on Friday, 20 September 2024. Additionally, higher-than-expected electricity demand driven by cold weather has contributed to this situation. Despite this, from 01 April to 26 September 2024, diesel costs have amounted to R5.78 billion, significantly lower than the R17.11 billion spent during the same period last year.

Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) averaged 59% over the past week and 63% year-to-date. Top-performing stations like Kusile, Majuba, Camden, and the peaking stations maintained an EAF above 70%. Additionally, two other power stations sustained an EAF above 60%. The ongoing improvement in the generation fleet’s performance is credited to the recovery plan, accelerated maintenance, collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and the dedication of power station managers and their teams.

Operational efficiency has been in line with the summer expectations, with unplanned outages varying between 10 700MW and 13 000MW over the past week. Today’s unplanned outages stand at 11 580MW, which is 1 420MW lower than the summer 2024 base case.

As of today, Eskom’s available generation capacity is 28 086MW, with an evening peak forecast of 26 658MW for 27 September 2024.

A total of approximately 2 880MW of generating capacity is scheduled to return to service by Monday, 30 September 2024.

Eskom announced in August its outlook for the summer period, 01 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, that detailed a likely scenario of a loadshedding-free summer outlook due to structural generation improvements. This remains in force. Further details can be found here: Summer Outlook and business operations update.

Key Performance Highlights:

Reduction in unplanned outages:

• The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) continues to be on a downward trend at 25.4% for the financial year to date (01 April 2024 to 26 September 2024), improving from 34.3% in the corresponding period last year.
• This reduction in UCLF represents a ~9% improvement compared to the same period last year.
• Unplanned outages of the generation units averaged 11 911MW during the past seven days, compared to 14 800MW in the corresponding week last year.

Planned Maintenance:

Ongoing planned maintenance is at 7 754MW, aligning with our summer maintenance strategy and bolstered by short-term maintenance to ensure continuous plant reliability.

Sustained Energy Availability Factor (EAF) improvement:

• The year-to-date (01 April 2024 to 26 September 2024) EAF is at 63.3%, a significant improvement of ~8.1% compared to the same period last year (55.2%).
• The weekly EAF has marginally improved from 57.0% at the beginning of the financial year to 57.93% from 23 September to 26 September 2024, an improvement of 0.93%.
• This improvement is primarily due to a drop in unplanned outages (UCLF and OCLF) of the generation units.

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).

• Diesel consumption remains significantly below projected figures for this summer and is considerably lower than the past two years.
• Eskom’s expenditure on OCGTs between 01 April and 26 September 2024 increased to 5.78 billion having generated 861.83GWh, approximately 66% (R11.33 billion) less than the R17.11 billion spent last year over the same period for 2 816.43GWh.
• The OCGT load factor for 01 April to 26 September 2024 was 5.88%, compared to last year’s figure of 19.20%.
• The OCGT load factor for 01 September to 26 September 2024 was 15.58%, marginally lower than last year’s figure of 15.64%.
• 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, as this can negatively impact the entire local community. It is also essential for customers to ensure they purchase electricity only from authorised vendors.

Eskom implores the public to play an active role in safeguarding 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.

We will provide an update on Friday 04 October 2024, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.

Courtesy of Eskom

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