Cape Town — Eskom celebrated 282 consecutive days without loadshedding since 26 March 2024, signalling the improvements in generation performance, resulting in a saving of more than R16 billion.
In a statement, Eskom revealed that the Generation Recovery Plan meant the power utility has saved up 16.52 billion, 65.2% less than the same period last year (R25.34 billion).
The plan has led to the successful return of Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 to the national grid on 30 December 2024, and the milestone follows extensive upgrades as part of a Long-Term Operation (LTO) programme meant to extend the unit’s operational lifespan by 20 years.
“We are currently in the process of ramping up the unit to its full capacity of 930MW, by operational procedures. We anticipate reaching full load by mid-January 2025, provided each step meets our commissioning procedure. Combined, Units 1 and 2 will supply 1 860MW, providing a reliable and stable baseload supply, playing a pivotal role in reducing loadshedding and stabilising the grid,” Eskom said.
Eskom revealed that unplanned outages are on a downward spiral, 8.1% less compared to last year. The power utility has also highlighted its summer outlook plan from 1 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, predicting a likely scenario of a loadshedding-free summer.
Loadshedding remains suspended for 282 days with year-on-year diesel savings of R16.52 billion achieved pic.twitter.com/gLiFr8RLcX
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) January 3, 2025
“This outlook remains unchanged. Our year-to-date unplanned outages average is 11 906MW, which is 1 094MW less than our 2024 summer base case of 13 000MW,” he said.
In the past week, the average total unplanned outages stood at 12 108MW, an improvement from 15 114 MW from the same period last year.
Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) averaged 54.65% in the past week due to planned maintenance, with the current EAF standing at 62.17%
“With an available generation capacity of 26 249MW and a peak demand forecast of 23 983MW for tonight, Eskom remains on track to meet electricity demand. By Monday evening, an additional 3 760MW is expected to return online,” it said.
Eskom said, that despite the suspension of loadshedding, it continues to face network overloading issues in certain areas due to illegal connections, vandalism, meter tampering, unauthorised network operations, theft and more.
“Eskom strongly urges customers to avoid illegal connections. Such actions can negatively impact the entire local community and result in hefty remedial fines,” it said.
The power utility said it would provide an update on Friday, 10 January 2025, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.
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Picture: X/@Eskom_SA
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
