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Eskom’s 25 Ongoing Infrastructure Upgrade Projects
Efforts to enhance Eskom’s infrastructure in generation and transmission are now in progress as the power utility aims to increase capacity and resolve the persistent issue of load-shedding.
During a recent media briefing, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the Minister of Electricity, unveiled 25 projects under construction. These projects focus on upgrading existing transformers and enhancing their capacity. Ramokgopa emphasised that these projects are expected to contribute approximately 13 gigawatts of electricity to the grid. The goal is to have these projects connected by 2026 to ensure a boost in the overall capacity of the grid. The minister stressed the urgency of expediting these initiatives to meet the growing electricity demand.
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Ramokgopa identified the twin challenges of generation and transmission as the primary concerns that need to be addressed to combat load-shedding effectively. He also acknowledged the significance of distribution in this context and emphasised the need for comprehensive attention to all aspects of the power supply chain.
Additionally, Eskom has identified 22 projects that can potentially contribute 24 gigawatts of electricity by the year 2033. These projects focus on the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape regions, primarily due to the higher wind speeds in coastal areas. From these regions, Eskom expects to generate around 5,845MW in the Northern Cape, 5,875MW in the Eastern Cape, and an impressive 8,954MW in the Western Cape.
However, the financial requirements for these projects pose a considerable challenge. Eskom estimates that it will need R100 billion by the 2025 financial year and a staggering R170 billion by 2029. There needs to be more than the existing Eskom balance sheet to cover these expenses, necessitating the exploration of alternative sources of financing.
During the briefing, Ramokgopa provided an update on the Energy Availability Factor for July 24-28. On July 25, a peak capacity of 29,376MW was available. This figure includes planned outages, with the highest planned outage occurring on Friday, reaching 4,126MW. These planned outages are part of Eskom’s strategy to maintain units more effectively and improve their resilience, ultimately enhancing the available capacity.
The minister acknowledged the lingering challenge of the capacity loss factor, attributed primarily to boiler tube leaks and other factors leading to unit failures. The best-case scenario projection for the unplanned loss capability factor during the winter outlook was around 15,000MW, while the worst-case scenario was approximately 18,000MW. The current value is just under 16,000MW, drawing the attention of Eskom for further improvement.
Eskom is actively working to reduce the unplanned capability loss factor by focusing on improving unit efficiency and reducing partial load losses. The combination of these efforts is expected to increase the overall available capacity.
Ramokgopa reassured citizens that Eskom is committed to avoiding load-shedding beyond stage 4. He highlighted a significant improvement in outage slips, with a reduction from 3,476MW to 1,843MW. This reduction is attributed to improved planning and management, and the minister expressed confidence in witnessing continued progress in this area.
Eskom’s ongoing infrastructure upgrade projects demonstrate the utility’s determination to address load-shedding and improve the stability of the country’s power supply. While challenges remain, Eskom’s concerted efforts and commitment to efficiency improvement are expected to yield positive outcomes for the future.
Source: 25 projects underway to upgrade Eskom infrastructure – minister
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Photo: Supplied by the Citizen
