Eskom has confirmed that there will be no loadshedding this weekend, marking 135 days of continuous power supply since 26 March 2024.
Story Summary:
- Eskom maintains uninterrupted power supply for 135 consecutive days.
- No loadshedding expected this weekend.
- Eskom’s power system shows significant improvements in performance.
- Future loadshedding remains unlikely but depends on unplanned outages.
Weekend loadshedding schedule starting Friday, 9 August 2024
According to Eskom’s statement, “This sustained performance is a result of our Generation Operational Recovery Plan, which has effectively managed electricity demand and reduced unplanned outages.”
The last time South Africa experienced over four months of loadshedding suspension was between March and July 2020.
Eskom’s efforts have led to significant improvements, and there has been no need for loadshedding since the beginning of the current financial year on 1 April 2024.
Here’s a look at the provisional weekend loadshedding schedule starting Friday, 9 August 2024:
| Date | 05:00 – 16:00 | 16:00 – 20:00 | 20:00 – 00:00 | 00:00 – 05:00 |
| Fri 9 Aug 24 | Suspended* | Suspended* | Suspended* | Suspended* |
| Sat 10 Aug 24 | Suspended* | Suspended* | Suspended* | Suspended* |
| Sun 11 Aug 24 | Suspended* | Suspended* | Suspended* | Suspended* |
What is the state of the power system?
Eskom’s power system is currently in a stable condition, showing marked improvements compared to previous years.
The key to this stability is the ongoing Generation Operational Recovery Plan, which has reduced the need for expensive diesel-powered Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTS).
From 1 April 2024 to 7 August 2024, Eskom reduced its diesel expenditure by R9.59 billion compared to the same period last year.
This was achieved by lowering the OCGT load factor to just 4.82%, a significant decrease from 20.61% the previous year.
Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF), a measure of power plant performance, averaged 68% over the past seven days, with some power stations like Medupi, Majuba, Matla, Lethabo, and Kusile exceeding 70% EAF.
This level of performance was last seen in July 2021.
Will Eskom implement loadshedding this winter?
Given the current state of the power system, it is unlikely that Eskom will need to implement loadshedding this winter.
The utility’s winter forecast, which predicted unplanned outages up to 15,500MW and potential loadshedding at Stage 2, has not materialized.
Instead, unplanned outages have remained below 12,400MW, with today’s figure at 10,757MW.
However, Eskom cautions that should there be a sudden increase in unplanned outages or a significant spike in demand, loadshedding could become necessary.
For now, the power system remains stable, and Eskom is scheduled to provide the next update on Friday, 16 August 2024.
