Latest news with #GridCode
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Eskom boosts grid by 2 550MW as cold front hits Gauteng
Eskom has returned at least 2 550MW of generation capacity to the national grid as severe winter weather grips the country. According to the South African Government News Agency ( the power utility is making steady progress in reducing maintenance operations, with the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) currently fluctuating between 61% and 64%. 'While system constraints are occasionally experienced, adequate emergency reserves are in place and are being strategically deployed to support demand during the morning and evening peak periods,' Eskom said. The utility warned that this week's cold front may drive up electricity usage, putting additional strain on the grid. The return of 2 550MW to service by June 9 is part of efforts to stabilise supply during peak hours. ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni and Eskom discuss municipal debt Progress is also being made at Medupi Unit 4, which was damaged in 2021. Commissioning activities are underway, and Grid Code compliance testing is expected to resume within the coming week. The unit is anticipated to return to service by the end of June. As more units return from long-term repairs, Eskom expects a reduction in diesel use, improving overall grid performance this winter. According to Eskom's Winter Outlook (until 31 August 2025), load-shedding may be avoided entirely if unplanned outages remain below 13 000MW. If breakdowns increase to 15 000MW, load-shedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days over the 153-day period and restricted to Stage 2. Eskom also appealed to communities to avoid illegal electricity connections and energy theft, which often lead to transformer damage, equipment failure, and prolonged outages. 'These issues force us to implement load reduction to protect the network,' the utility said. ALSO READ: Public outraged by increased Eskom tariffs Customers are urged to buy electricity only from Eskom-accredited vendors and to register for Free Basic Electricity through their local municipalities. To help manage household consumption, Eskom encourages residents to use its online Residential Calculator at At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Eskom boosts power supply as South Africa faces winter freeze
Eskom has returned at least 2 550MW of generation capacity to the national grid as severe winter weather grips the country. According to the South African Government News Agency ( the power utility is making steady progress in reducing maintenance operations, with the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) currently fluctuating between 61% and 64%. ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni and Eskom aim to resolve municipal debt 'While system constraints are occasionally experienced, adequate emergency reserves are in place and are being strategically deployed to support demand during the morning and evening peak periods,' Eskom said. The utility warned that this week's cold front may drive up electricity usage, putting additional strain on the grid. The return of 2 550MW to service by June 9 is part of efforts to stabilise supply during peak hours. Progress is also being made at Medupi Unit 4, which was damaged in 2021. Commissioning activities are underway, and Grid Code compliance testing is expected to resume within the coming week. The unit is anticipated to return to service by the end of June. ALSO READ: Increased Eskom tariffs spark outrage As more units return from long-term repairs, Eskom expects a reduction in diesel use, improving overall grid performance this winter. According to Eskom's Winter Outlook (until 31 August 2025), load-shedding may be avoided entirely if unplanned outages remain below 13 000MW. If breakdowns increase to 15 000MW, load-shedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days over the 153-day period and restricted to Stage 2. Eskom also appealed to communities to avoid illegal electricity connections and energy theft, which often lead to transformer damage, equipment failure, and prolonged outages. 'These issues force us to implement load reduction to protect the network,' the utility said. Customers are urged to buy electricity only from Eskom-accredited vendors and to register for Free Basic Electricity through their local municipalities. To help manage household consumption, Eskom encourages residents to use its online Residential Calculator at At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Eskom reports stability in power supply ahead of winter challenges
Eskom in a statement on Friday said that the system remains stable despite being constrained. Eskom has assured the country that system remains stable despite being constrained on the back of rising demand as a result of inclement weather conditions. The State-owned power utility on Friday said it would add 2 550MW to the grid on Monday, and thus rotational load shedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000MW. 'While system constraints are occasionally experienced, adequate emergency reserves are in place and are being strategically deployed to support demand during the morning and evening peak periods, particularly as the country prepares for a forecasted cold spell in the coming week,' it said. Eskom added that it was making steady progress as they move beyond the peak maintenance season, with the Planned Capability Loss Factor (PCLF) having decreased from last week's average of ~4 883MW to this week's (30 May to 5 June) average of ~4 035MW. 'As a result, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has been recovering as expected, now fluctuating between 61% and 64% since Monday. Month-to-date, the EAF stands at 60.42%, reflecting the successful return of additional generation units from planned maintenance,' Eskom said. 'For the financial year-to-date, planned maintenance has averaged 5 974MW, representing 12.76% of total generation capacity. This reflects a decrease from the previous week, but a 2.1% increase compared to the same period last year.' Eskom said that it planned to return a total of 2 550MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday to further stabilise the grid. 'The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which measures the capacity lost due to unplanned outages, stands at 28.93% for the financial year to date (1 April to 5 June 2025). This represents a slight increase of ~0.8% compared to 28.17% recorded over the same period last year,' it said. 'The increase in the UCLF this week includes the delay in returning the 800MW from Medupi Unit 4, which is in the final stages of a long-term recovery project following generator damages in August 2021.' Eskom added that commissioning activities are currently underway and Grid Code compliance testing is expected to resume in the coming week. 'The unit is anticipated to return to service within June 2025. The Open-Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) load factor decreased to 6.31% this week, compared to 12.70% in the previous week (23 to 29 May 2025). This decline indicates reduced reliance on diesel.' Eskom said that the financial year-to-date OCGT load factor reflects a 5.2% decrease compared to the year-to-date figure from the previous week. 'The diesel expenditure is still within budget for the current financial year. Diesel usage is expected to decline further as more units return from long-term repairs and maintenance activities are reduced, increasing available generation capacity,' Eskom said. 'The Winter Outlook, published on 5 May 2025, covering the period ending 31 August 2025, remains valid. It indicates that loadshedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000MW. If outages rise to 15 000MW, loadshedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days and restricted to Stage 2.' Energy expert Ruse Moleshe, managing director of RUBK, said that Eskom was entering the winter period when demand for electricity was typically higher due to higher need for heating and other services. 'The concerted effort to focus on and increase maintenance during the summer season bodes well for winter, due to expected plant reliability. So does bringing the additional 2500 MW capacity on stream. All these efforts will contribute to increased plant availability,' Moleshe said. 'Although the risk of unplanned outages or plant breakdowns remains, given the constrained system, Eskom has done well to plan for the winter period and ensure all efforts are made to increase supply options to meet the needs of consumers.' BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Eskom expects to return units as winter bite sets in
Eskom expects to return units as winter bite sets in Eskom is expected to return at least 2550MW capacity to the grid by evening peak on Monday as South Africa braces for severe winter conditions throughout the country this week. The power utility said it is making 'steady progress' in tapering down maintenance season with the Energy Availability Factor 'fluctuating between 61% and 64%' last week. 'While system constraints are occasionally experienced, adequate emergency reserves are in place and are being strategically deployed to support demand during the morning and evening peak periods, particularly as the country prepares for a forecasted cold spell in the coming week. 'We plan to return a total of 2550MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak [today] to further stabilise the grid,' the power utility said. Eskom revealed that Medupi Unit 4 is in the last phases of recovery following damages sustained in 2021. 'Commissioning activities are currently underway and Grid Code compliance testing is expected to resume in the coming week. The unit is anticipated to return to service within June 2025. 'Diesel usage is expected to decline further as more units return from long-term repairs and maintenance activities are reduced, increasing available generation capacity. 'The Winter Outlook…covering the period ending 31 August 2025, remains valid. It indicates that load shedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000MW. If outages rise to 15 000MW, loadshedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days and restricted to Stage 2,' Eskom said. Protect electricity infrastructure The power utility has encouraged communities to 'avoid illegal connections and energy theft' even as the winter period rolls in. 'These activities often lead to transformer overloads, equipment failures, and in some cases, explosions and extended outages, prompting the need for load reduction to protect the network. 'To help maintain a stable electricity supply this winter, customers are encouraged to purchase electricity only from Eskom-accredited vendors and take responsibility by regularising their electricity usage. 'Eligible households are encouraged to register for free basic electricity with their local municipalities,' Eskom said. Furthermore, customers are encouraged to use electricity sparingly throughout winter. Use the Eskom Residential Calculator to track and optimise electricity usage. The tool can be accessed at – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
3 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Eskom expects to return units to grid as South Africa braves winter cold
Eskom is expected to return at least 2 550MW capacity to the grid by evening peak on Monday as South Africa braces for severe winter conditions throughout the country this week. The power utility said it is making 'steady progress' in tapering down maintenance season with the Energy Availability Factor 'fluctuating between 61% and 64%' last week. 'While system constraints are occasionally experienced, adequate emergency reserves are in place and are being strategically deployed to support demand during the morning and evening peak periods, particularly as the country prepares for a forecasted cold spell in the coming week. 'We plan to return a total of 2550MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak [today] to further stabilise the grid,' the power utility said. Eskom revealed that Medupi Unit 4 is in the last phases of recovery following damages sustained in 2021. 'Commissioning activities are currently underway and Grid Code compliance testing is expected to resume in the coming week. The unit is anticipated to return to service within June 2025. 'Diesel usage is expected to decline further as more units return from long-term repairs and maintenance activities are reduced, increasing available generation capacity. 'The Winter Outlook… covering the period ending 31 August 2025, remains valid. It indicates that load shedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000MW. If outages rise to 15 000MW, load shedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days and restricted to Stage 2,' Eskom said. The power utility has encouraged communities to 'avoid illegal connections and energy theft' even as the winter period rolls in. 'These activities often lead to transformer overloads, equipment failures, and in some cases, explosions and extended outages, prompting the need for load reduction to protect the network. 'To help maintain a stable electricity supply this winter, customers are encouraged to purchase electricity only from Eskom-accredited vendors and take responsibility by regularising their electricity usage. 'Eligible households are encouraged to register for free basic electricity with their local municipalities,' Eskom said. Furthermore, customers are encouraged to use electricity sparingly throughout winter. Use the Eskom Residential Calculator to track and optimise electricity usage. The tool can be accessed HERE Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
