Eskom has maintained its streak of uninterrupted power supply for 233 consecutive days as of Friday, 15 November 2024
Story Summary:
- Loadshedding has been suspended for 233 consecutive days.
- Eskom’s EAF stands at 61.4%, with reduced unplanned outages supporting stable supply.
- Sufficient capacity ensures low loadshedding risk this weekend, starting 15 November 2024.
Eskom power update for this weekend: Here’s what you must know
The utility’s ongoing Generation Recovery Plan has significantly enhanced system stability, resulting in a year-on-year reduction in diesel expenses by R15.16 billion—69.9% less than last year’s costs over the same period.
The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) averaged 61.4% over the past week, with a year-to-date figure of 62.8%.
Top-performing stations such as Kusile, Medupi, and other peaking facilities continue to achieve EAFs exceeding 70%.
Additionally, the weekly unplanned outages averaged 11,235MW, a marked improvement from 16,422MW during the same period last year.
This decline in outages has allowed Eskom to focus on planned maintenance, with 6,971MW currently under maintenance as part of a strategy to ensure long-term system reliability.
What is the likelihood of loadshedding?
Loadshedding remains unlikely this weekend, given the current system performance. With an available generation capacity of 29,157MW and a peak demand forecast of 25,954MW for Friday evening, Eskom has sufficient capacity to meet demand.
Additionally, 2,540MW of generating capacity is scheduled to return online by Monday evening, further enhancing supply security.
The efficiency of Eskom’s operations is also evident in its reduced reliance on Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), with usage dropping by 69.9% compared to the same period last year.
The utility continues to monitor demand closely and has positioned four units on cold reserve to manage any fluctuations over the weekend.
