Friday, 07 February 2025: Eskom confirms that loadshedding remains suspended. The system is stabilised and emergency reserves are fully replenished.
Kusile Unit 3 has returned to service after being offline for reconnection to the repaired Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) system and main stack, as authorised by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The main stack, damaged in 2022, required temporary environmental authorisations during its permanent reinstatement. This achievement marks another significant milestone in our recovery plan. Units 2 and 1 are scheduled to complete their reinstatement on 26 March and June 2025, respectively. All three units will be compliant with DFFE directives.
In the current financial year, from 01 April 2024 to 06 February 2025, loadshedding has been suspended for 309 days (7 451 hours), compared to 32 days (2 043 hours) in the previous financial year (01 April 2023 to 06 February 2024). A continuous electricity supply was available 99% of the time, compared to only 10% during the same period in the previous financial year.
The significant efficiencies in year-to-date diesel savings continue, with R16.54 billion saved so far, which is about 59.7% less than the R27.68 billion spent during the same period last year.
A total of 2 750MW will be returned to service by Monday, 10 February 2025, to further stabilise the grid.
Eskom’s Summer Outlook from 01 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, published on August 26, 2024, remains unchanged.
Key Performance Highlights:
• Over the past week (31 January to 06 February 2025), average unplanned outages were 13 118MW, showing an improvement of 1 437MW compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date, the average is 12 198MW, which is 802MW below the summer base case of 13 000MW.
• The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) is at 25.38% for the financial year-to-date (01 April 2024 to 06 February 2025), improving from 32.58% in the corresponding period last year. This represents a ~7.2% improvement.
• The weekly Energy Availability Factor (EAF) increased from 57.0% at the beginning of the financial year to 59.6% from 03 to 06 February 2025, while the year-to-date EAF is at 61.56%, a significant improvement of ~6.8% compared to the same period last year (54.78%).
• The ongoing planned maintenance at 7 183MW aligns with our summer maintenance strategy, which aims to further improve reliability in preparation for Winter 2025 and beyond.
• As of today, unplanned outages stand at 12 406MW, while available generation capacity is 27 917MW, sufficient to meet tonight’s forecasted peak demand of 25 314MW.
• Strategic use of peaking stations remains key to manage electricity demand during peak times, particularly during evening peaks (17:00 to 22:00).
o Between 01 April 2024 and 06 February 2025, Eskom spent approximately R11.14 billion on fuel for the Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) fleet (both Eskom and IPP owned), which is below budget, generating 1 825.10GWh. This is significantly lower than the 4 394.88GWh generated during the same period last year.
o The OCGT load factor for 01 April 2024 to 06 February 2025 stabilised at 7.14%, compared to last year’s figure of 17.19%.
o The OCGT load factor for the last week, 31 January to 06 February 2025, was 10.68%, lower than the 14.43% for the same period last year.
‘Save Your Transformers, Save Lives’ campaign
While loadshedding is currently suspended, Eskom appeals to the public to avoid illegal connections, to buy electricity only from Eskom-accredited vendors and help protect 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, 14 February 2025, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.
About Eskom and Electricity – Load Shedding: Has implemented load shedding during periods of high demand or maintenance.
Sky Herald
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