Eskom Celebrates 250+ Days Without Load Shedding, Saving R17 Billion in Diesel Costs

Eskom announced that South Africa has reached over 250 days without load shedding, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy recovery. This achievement has led to a savings of nearly R17 billion in diesel costs compared to the previous year.

In 2024, South Africa has only experienced 83 days of load shedding, a drastic improvement from the 289 days faced in 2023. Eskom attributes this positive change to the ongoing success of the Generation Recovery Plan, which has consistently delivered improved results, particularly within the coal-fired fleet. The utility expressed that load shedding has been suspended for 254 consecutive days since March 26, 2024, showcasing their commitment to ensuring a reliable energy supply for economic growth and long-term sustainability.

As businesses begin their December holiday shutdowns, Eskom plans to increase maintenance activities to further enhance the reliability of the generation fleet. The power utility reported a significant reduction in unplanned outages, with the average total unplanned outages down to 11,038 MW, a sharp decrease from 14,475 MW in the previous year.

Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) is showing promising numbers as well, with a weekly average of 59.4% and a year-to-date average of 62.8%. Notably, top-performing stations like Majuba, Medupi, and peaking stations have achieved EAFs above 70%, with four other stations also exceeding 60%.

Looking ahead, Eskom expects an additional 2,600 MW of capacity to come online by Monday evening. With its improved structural generation capabilities, Eskom remains confident in its forecast for a load-shedding-free summer from September 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

The utility’s continued efforts to strengthen South Africa’s energy sector signal a hopeful future for reliable electricity and economic growth.

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