Friday, 06 December 2024: The investment in the Generation Recovery Plan continues to yield consistent results, with loadshedding suspended for 254 consecutive days since 26 March 2024. This achievement reflects the on-going success of comprehensive structural improvements within the coal-fired fleet, reinforcing Eskom’s commitment to providing a reliable energy supply, enabling economic growth, and promoting long-term sustainability.
With the December summer break approaching and many industries shutting down for this period, along with continuous progress in minimising unplanned outages, Eskom has started to gradually increase its planned maintenance activities to further improve the reliability of its generation fleet.
The recovery plan has resulted in year-on-year diesel savings of R16.99 billion, approximately 70.0% less than the R24.27 billion spent during the same period last year. Diesel usage remains below the year-to-date budget.
Over the past week, the average total unplanned outages have been at 11 038MW, a significant improvement from the 14 475MW recorded during the same period last year, representing a reduction of 3 437MW. Today’s unplanned outages are at 11 834MW, which is 1 166MW lower than the summer 2024 base case, indicating consistently improved operational efficiency week after week.
Eskom’s EAF was at an average of 59.4% over the past week and 62.8% year-to-date, with top-performing stations — including Majuba, Medupi, and peaking stations — achieving an average EAF of 70% and above. Four other power stations recorded EAFs above 60%.
With an available generation capacity of 27 929MW and a peak demand forecast of 25 830MW for tonight, Eskom remains on track to meet electricity demand. By Monday evening, an additional 2 600MW is expected to return online.
In August, Eskom shared its Summer Outlook for the period from 01 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, predicting a likely scenario of a loadshedding-free summer due to structural generation improvements. This outlook remains unchanged.
Key Performance Highlights:
Reduction in unplanned outages:
- The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) is at 24.9% for the financial year-to-date (01 April 2024 to 05 December 2024), improving from 33.5% in the corresponding period last year.
- This reduction in UCLF represents a ~8.6% improvement compared to the same period last year.
Ongoing Planned Maintenance:
Ongoing planned maintenance increased to 7 503MW, aligning with our summer maintenance strategy to further improve the reliability of the stations in preparation for winter 2025 and beyond.
Sustained Energy Availability Factor (EAF) improvement:
- The year-to-date (01 April 2024 to 05 December 2024) EAF is at 62.8%, a significant improvement of ~7.4% compared to the same period last year (55.4%).
- The weekly EAF has improved from 57.0% at the beginning of the financial year to 59.4% from 02 to 05 December 2024, a slight improvement of 2.4%.
- 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 05 December 2024 was about R7.28 billion having generated 1 128.45GWh, approximately 70.0% (R16.99 billion) less than the R24.27 billion spent last year over the same period for 3 890.31GWh.
- The OCGT load factor for 01 April to 05 December 2024 stabilised at 5.53 %, compared to last year’s figure of 19.07%.
- Diesel usage remains below the year-to-date budget.
‘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. Such actions can negatively impact the entire local community and result in hefty remedial fines. It is also essential for customers to purchase electricity only from authorised vendors.
Eskom urges the public to help protect 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.
Following the deadline for updating pre-paid meters to KRN2 (Key Revision Number 2) at 20:15 on Sunday, November 24, 2024, Eskom has successfully recoded 5.6 million pre-paid meters. This includes around 400,000 zero buyers who have now become paying customers. Eskom urges the remaining approximately 1.6 million zero buyers to continue doing the right thing by Friday, December 13, 2024. They should purchase electricity tokens from the nearest legal vendors and approach Eskom centres for further assistance, rather than waiting until the extended deadline. For a list of Eskom-accredited electricity vending outlets across the country, visit: https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024123Vending-outlets.xlsx
We will provide an update on Friday, 13 December 2024, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.
ENDS
