Eskom Suspends Loadshedding for 177 Days Amid Efficiency Gains and Diesel Savings
Tuesday, 20 September 2024: Eskom has achieved a significant milestone, marking 177 consecutive days without load shedding, thanks to sustained improvements in its generation fleet and operational strategies. This achievement is part of Eskom’s Generation Operational Recovery Plan, which has strengthened energy supply while lowering costs, particularly in diesel consumption.
Efficiency Milestones and Diesel Savings
A standout feature of Eskom’s recent performance is the substantial reduction in diesel costs. From 1 April to 19 September 2024, the utility spent R4.83 billion on diesel to power its Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), generating 716.4 GWh of electricity. This represents a 71% decrease compared to the R16.75 billion spent during the same period in 2023, when diesel was used to generate 2,764.85 GWh.
Eskom attributes this impressive cost-saving to improved operational efficiency, reduced dependence on OCGTs, and a strategic focus on transitioning towards more sustainable energy solutions. The OCGT load factor, for example, dropped to 18.96% between 1 and 19 September 2024, a substantial improvement from last year’s figure of 28.65%.
Improved Generation Fleet Performance
The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) — a key indicator of Eskom’s generation capacity — reached an average of 60% over the past seven days. Power stations like Kusile, Grootvlei, Majuba, Lethabo, and others achieved EAFs above 70%, marking a significant achievement in Eskom’s continuous efforts to stabilise the national grid.
In addition, Eskom reported a significant drop in unplanned outages, which averaged 12,800 MW over the past week, compared to 15,800 MW in the same period last year. Today’s figure of 10,916 MW is nearly 2,100 MW lower than summer forecasts, demonstrating strong operational performance.
Read also: Load Shedding in South Africa: Everything You Need to Know
Upcoming Capacity Additions
Eskom is not resting on its recent successes. The utility announced that an additional 2,685 MW of generating capacity is expected to return to service by Monday, 23 September 2024. This will further strengthen the energy supply as the summer season approaches, providing extra buffers to mitigate potential future disruptions.
“Save Your Transformers, Save Lives” Campaign
Although load shedding remains suspended, Eskom continues to face challenges related to network overloading, often caused by illegal connections and infrastructure vandalism. To address this, Eskom has launched its “Save Your Transformers, Save Lives” campaign, urging the public to avoid illegal connections and ensure that their electricity is sourced from authorised vendors. This initiative aims to reduce unnecessary power outages and safeguard the integrity of the network.
Read also: Eskom to Boost Capacity by 3,500MW by August, But Load Shedding Remains a Threat – Ramokgopa
Looking Ahead: Summer Outlook
With current operational efficiencies surpassing expectations, Eskom remains optimistic about a load-shedding-free summer. The utility’s forecast for the period from 1 September 2024 to 31 March 2025 remains unchanged, with no major disruptions anticipated.
As of today, Eskom’s available generation capacity stands at 29,795 MW, with an evening peak forecast of 27,159 MW for 20 September 2024. The utility will provide an update on Tuesday, 27 September 2024, or communicate any significant changes as soon as they arise.