Kgosiansho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity; (Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
EPower Minister Kgosiensho Ramogopa said Skomu had surpassed 70% energy utilization for the first time since 2021.
Speaking at the Kusile power station on Monday, he said the early return of the plant's units contributed an additional 2,400 megawatts to the grid, improving Eskom's energy utilization.
“We have been thinking hard about how to quickly return these three units (1, 2 and 3) and as a result of returning them early as planned, we will benefit from an additional 2,400 MW. So what I'm saying is that all these efforts are being orchestrated. Nothing you're seeing today is sudden.” he said.
Energy availability factors are used to measure power plant performance.
“And in fact, the picture looks even very good. What is it? As I stand today, I am happy to say to the country that Eskom's energy utilization has breached the 70% threshold. That is 70.78[%]. That's important. ”
He said the last time Eskom achieved an energy utilization rate of 70% was in August 2021, adding: “Month-to-date statistics show we are at 64.34% and year-to-date is 59.92%. And we're just a little short of reaching it,” he added. It's 60%. ”
“Today Kusile is hovering around 93%,” he said. “Achievements of this kind have been achieved by talented men and women who are dedicated and patriotic to solving problems that alleviate burdens.”
There was no loading or unloading in South Africa for 47 days. Ramokgopa said this improvement was not due to diesel combustion, but to improved maintenance and performance of coal-fired power plants. He said diesel usage was down compared to the same period last year.
In response to the suggestion that electricity supply has improved as a result of burning more diesel, he said: This is supported by these machines at Kusile and many other power plants. Underpinning this recovery is the performance of coal-fired power plants. ”
He attributed the improvement in energy utilization to the maintenance program carried out in December and January. He also said the Energy Action Plan announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, appointments to the Eskom board, stabilization of the management team and performance-related incentive bonuses had all played a role in Eskom's success.
“This ‘short-term pain, long-term gain’ strategy is now paying off, as much of that capacity is brought back online ahead of the winter months, when demand typically increases.”
Ramogopa said improved energy utilization at older power plants such as Lethabo and Matola contributed to the improved performance.
He added that the suspension of load shedding was due to improved performance of the coal fleet and support for solar power generation during the day.
“Our aggressive maintenance-led recovery plan is starting to pay off. As we entered December 2023 and moved into January 2024, planned maintenance reached its highest level in three years. We spent 18% of our capacity on planned maintenance and these units are coming back,” Ramokopa said.
Prime Minister Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter that while it was too early to announce an end to load shedding, the implementation of the Energy Action Plan had significantly improved power outage reductions.
“The continued improvement in the performance of Eskom’s power plants and the addition of new generation capacity to our energy system gives us hope that the end of load shedding is in sight,” Ramaphosa said. he said.
The energy utilization rate has been above 60% since April, compared with 53% in the same period last year, the president added.
