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IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Eskom assures stability amid rising demand and winter challenges
Eskom in a statement on Friday assured the country that the system remains stable despite being constrained on the back of rising demand as a result of inclement weather conditions Eskom in a statement on Friday assured the country that the system remains stable despite being constrained on the back of rising demand as a result of inclement weather conditions. The State-owned power utility said it would add 2 550 MW to the grid on Monday, 9 June, and thus rotational load shedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000 MW. An energy expert believes that managing Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) will be key to managing high demand during the winter months. Professor Vally Padayachee, energy expert and former Eskom generation executive manager, said that Eskom's assertion that the power system remains stable but constrained reflects the complex dynamics at play within our energy landscape. 'While it is commendable that we are witnessing a certain degree of stability, this is juxtaposed against the persistent challenges linked to generation capacity and maintenance backlogs.' Padayachee added that the planned addition of 2,550 MW to the grid is promising and exemplifies Eskom's proactive approach to mitigating demand pressures, particularly ahead of the anticipated cold spell. 'However, it is essential to recognize that this augmentation of capacity is necessary to support an increasingly demanding grid, especially during peak usage times. The fact that Eskom has been able to reduce the Planned Capability Loss Factor (PCLF) to approximately 4,035 MW, down from 4,883 MW, suggests ongoing improvements in operational efficiency and maintenance practices.' Padayachee said that nonetheless, sustained vigilance is critical, given that we still face high unplanned capacity loss. 'The current Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) of 28.93% is concerning. This metric underscores the need for further attention and resources to address the underlying issues causing these unplanned outages. Notably, the delay in returning Medupi Unit 4 to service exhibits how long-term maintenance projects can significantly impact reliability. As the unit is anticipated to return within June 2025, its reintegration will be pivotal for improving overall generation capacity.' Padayachee added that the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) levels, fluctuating around 60% to 64%, indicate a gradual recovery; however, they remain below optimal performance levels. 'A year-to-date average EAF of 57.85%, which is down from 60.67% in the same period last year, further illustrates the detrimental effects of increased planned maintenance—now at 12.76% of total generation capacity.' Padayachee said that looking forward, while the winter outlook does not currently indicate an imminent need for load shedding if unplanned outages remain controlled, we must adopt a proactive stance. 'However, if the UCLF increases to beyond 15,000 MW, we could see a return to load shedding, hopefully at lower levels. It is vital that Eskom and the broader energy ecosystem focus on sustainable practices, enhancing generation reliability, and strategic maintenance scheduling. Reducing illegal connections and energy theft is equally crucial, as these factors can lead to overloads and wider outages, further straining our grid.' Padayachee added that as we navigate these winter months, he encourages all stakeholders—government, industry players, and consumers alike—to adopt a collaborative approach in managing energy consumption and ensuring efficient utilization of resources. 'Public education campaigns around the responsible use of electricity and the importance of adhering to legal electricity procurement will help alleviate some of the pressures on the grid. While Eskom's immediate measures are steps in the right direction, the outlook necessitates continual improvement in operational efficiency, robust maintenance strategies, and active public engagement to foster a more resilient power sector.' BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Eskom on 'right trajectory' to provide stable electricity
Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said Eskom is transitioning from 'ending load shedding' to 'energy saving'. As South Africans wait to see if the lights stay on during winter, a former Eskom executive believes the power utility is on the right trajectory to provide stable electricity through the cold winter months. On Monday, Eskom said it will have more than 2.5gw of power this winter and could avoid load shedding altogether if unplanned breakdowns remain below 13gw. Transitioning During the media briefing, Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said Eskom is transitioning from 'ending load shedding' to 'energy saving'. 'That's very important, and that's why when we have periodic episodes of load shedding, it's a significant setback on our ambition to ensure that we are able to sustain that transition.' ALSO READ: Eskom winter outlook: Here's how many days of load shedding to expect in SA Eskom on right track Former Eskom executive manager Professor Vally Padayachee said this is the first time that Ramokgopa has made a statement about transitioning from load shedding. 'He's indicating that they are now ready to end load shedding eventually within the next short while, and I'm not sure how that short while pans out. 'I'm confident that Eskom is on the right trajectory, but we must just be careful, there is a risk and they are not out of the woods yet, we will still probably have load shedding as Eskom alluded,' Padayachee said. Former Eskom executive manager Prof. Vally Padayachee says he believes the power utility is on the right trajectory to provide stable electricity through the winter period. Earlier today, Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa announced an expected boost of 2 500 megawatts… — Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 5, 2025 Winter load shedding During the briefing, Eskom CEO Dan Marokane said significant improvements have been made since the Summer 2024/25 outlook. Marokane said Eskom does not expect load shedding this winter if unplanned outages remain below 13gw. 'If outages increase to 15gw, load shedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days at Stage 2 – an improvement over the prior winter's worst-case prediction of Stage 5 load shedding.' 'lethal combination' In late January and February, South Africa experienced different levels of power cuts from stage 3 to stage 6, following nearly ten months of uninterrupted electricity supply. Marokane acknowledged the five incidents of load shedding, which occurred amid a 'lethal combination' of multiple unit trips overlapping with delays in bringing some units back online Eskom board chairperson Mteto Nyati said the board and management have spent time trying to understand the root causes of these failures and found that they were largely due to 'people-related' issues that required holding staff accountable and instilling a high-performance culture. 'We have not been proud of how we performed.' Diesel savings Eskom Group Executive for Generation Bheki Nxumalo said the parastatal also produced more energy in the 2025 financial year than in the previous two. 'We continue to make bold decisions with the future in mind: to build a stronger, more reliable power system for the country. 'We have continued to maintain high levels of planned maintenance as part of efforts to improve fleet reliability in preparation for the high winter demand, while also meeting environmental license conditions and regulatory requirements,' said Nxumalo. The value of diesel consumption also declined by 45%, resulting in savings of R16 billion. Diesel is mainly used to power open-cycle gas turbines (OGCT) to help the utility meet the peak demand periods. NOW READ: What is an Aphelion phenomenon? It's chilly in Gauteng but not a doomsday cold front
