Eskom continues to record progress in implementing its Generation Recovery Plan, recording more than 540 days without load shedding.
Furthermore, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has reached 68.16% with approximately 6481MW of generation capacity recovered compared with three years ago.
“The sustained improvement in generation performance has strengthened the power system, enabling Eskom to shift from recovery to sustaining reliability, strengthening long-term sustainability and unlocking electricity capacity to support economic growth and industrialisation.
“Unplanned outages have improved by 6.05% year-on-year, representing approximately 2720MW of generation capacity returned to service compared with the corresponding period last year. The longer-term improvement is more pronounced, with average unplanned outages declining by approximately 7076MW over the past three years, from 16 167MW to 9092MW,” the power utility said in a statement.
Reliance on diesel-fired Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) has also decreased, resulting in a decrease in expenditure.
“Financial year-to-date diesel expenditure stands at R1.26 billion, R4.81 billion, or 79.19%, lower than the R6.073 billion spent over the corresponding period last year.
“Eskom currently has approximately 6855MW of available generation capacity above current demand requirements, strengthening system resilience while creating headroom to support new electricity demand.
“This additional capacity provides an opportunity to support energy-intensive industries, new investment, industrial growth and strengthening South Africa’s potential role as a regional electricity hub through increased export sales,” the power utility said.
Meanwhile, the electricity provider’s plans of eradicating load reduction also continue to bear fruit. Eskom has set a goal of eliminating load reduction by March 2027.
“Approximately 1.6 million previously affected customers have returned to normal electricity supply, reducing the load reduction footprint by 94%, from approximately 1.69 million customers to 102 551.
“The combination of higher generation availability, significantly lower unplanned outages, reduced diesel expenditure and the near elimination of load reduction demonstrates the structural improvement in the power system.
“Eskom’s focus is now on sustaining these gains, strengthening the long-term sustainability of the business and converting improved generation performance into electricity capacity that supports South Africa’s economic growth and industrialisation,” Eskom explained. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.
