Loadshedding Suspension Continues: Eskom winter performance exceeds expectations

(Media Release: Issued and provided by ESKOM)

Eskom is pleased to announce the ongoing suspension of load shedding, marking four months (121 consecutive days) of uninterrupted power supply since 26 March 2024, including 87 days of constant supply throughout the winter period.

Eskom reached a significant milestone on 23 July 2024 by achieving 35 000MW of available capacity, with an evening peak demand of 30 740MW. This level of available capacity has not been seen for six years, specifically since 16 July 2018.

This achievement is attributed to reduced unplanned outages (UCLF and OCLF), which have dropped to 9 238MW.

Additionally, Eskom achieved an average Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 70% over the past seven days.

The Generation Recovery Plan continues to deliver efficiencies for Eskom, with an approximate R9.09 billion reduction in Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) diesel expenditure from 1 April 2024 to 25 July 2024, compared to the same period last year.

The last time South Africa experienced such a prolonged load shedding suspension was over four years ago, between 16 March 2020 and 9 July 2020, when load shedding was suspended for 116 days.

As a result of Eskom’s Generation Operational Recovery Plan, our operational efficiency continues to surpass our winter assumptions.

The winter forecast, published on 26 April 2024, anticipated a likely scenario of unplanned outages at 15 500MW and load shedding limited to Stage 2 – this remains in force.

Read the full press release here.