Eskom Suspends Loadshedding For 170 Days, Saving R12.54 Billion In Diesel Cost

The Generation Operational Recovery Plan continues to deliver a constant energy supply and efficiencies with loadshedding remaining suspended and Eskom achieving 170 consecutive days of uninterrupted power supply since 26 March 2024.

In the past seven days, Eskom’s use of its Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) resulted in diesel expenditure of R4.16 billion from 01 April to 12 September 2024. This is a 75% reduction compared to the R16.7 billion spent during the same period last year.

Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) averaged 63% over the past week, with top-performing stations such as Kusile, Lethabo, Grootvlei, Camden and the peaking stations maintaining an EAF above 70%. Additionally, four other power stations sustained an EAF above 60%. The continued improvement in the generation fleet’s performance is attributed 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 exceeded summer expectations, with unplanned outages averaging between 9 800MW and 13 100MW over the past week. Today’s unplanned outages stands at 12 570MW, which is 430MW lower than the summer 2024 base case.

As of today, Eskom’s available generation capacity is 28 866MW, with an evening peak forecast of 26 593MW for 13 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: 

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• The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) continues to be on a downward trend at 25.3% for the financial year to date (01 April 2024 to 12 September 2024), improving from 34.6% 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 190MW during the past seven days, compared to 16 876MW in the corresponding week last year.

Planned Maintenance: 

• Ongoing planned maintenance increased to 6 035MW, 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 to 12 September 2024) EAF is at 63.6%, a significant improvement of ~8.5% compared to the same period last year (55.12%).
• The weekly EAF has improved from 57.0% at the beginning of the financial year to 60.7% from 09 September to 12 September 2024, an improvement of 3.7%.
• 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).

• Eskom’s expenditure on OCGTs between 01 April and 12 September 2024 increased to R4.16 billion having generated 614.77GWh, approximately 75% (R12.54 billion) less than the R16.7 billion spent last year over the same period for 2 757.45GWh.
• The OCGT load factor for 01 April to 12 September 2024 was 4.55%, compared to last year’s figure of 20.40%.
• The OCGT load factor for 01 September to 12 September 2024 was 8.62%, significantly lower than last year’s figure of 27.90%.
• Diesel usage remains below the year-to-date budget.

A total of approximately 3 600MW of generating capacity is scheduled to return to service by Monday, 16 September 2024. 

‘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 20 September 2024, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.