Load shedding continues to be problem in South Africa. Image via Getty Images
Here’s why Eskom has been implementing lower stages of load shedding
Electricity Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has provided reasons why Eskom suspended load shedding this week.
Load shedding continues to be problem in South Africa. Image via Getty Images
Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has attributed the reduced stages of load shedding to Eskom’s improved generation over the past week.
Eskom suspended load shedding from 05:00 – 16:00 during the week while implementing stage 3 during peak hours.
IMPROVED GENERATION REDUCES LOAD SHEDDING
During a virtual media briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan (EAP), Ramokgopa said demand is also lower than what was projected in Eskom’s winter plan.
Ramokgopa said government is making significant, yet marginal, progress in relation to the improvement of the plan, which intends to better the performance of Eskom’s power stations in order to ensure energy security.
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“The 2nd of June was momentous in our journey to ensure that we address the issue of load shedding in the country. We reached a 60% Energy Availability Factor (EAF). The last time we reached a 60% EAF was on 2 September 2022.
“When we started in May, the improvement in relation to the EAF was about 7 percentage points. On average, a 1 percentage point increase represents 477 megawatts (MW),” he explained.
Furthermore, the Electricity Minister said there has been a reduction in unplanned losses to less than 16 000 MW, from over 18 000 MW.
In addition, planned maintenance has been reduced to approximately 2 500MW.
He emphasised that there is work underway aimed at reducing the levels of load shedding.
“We want to sustain this performance and key to this performance are the Eskom units so that they become reliable,” the Minister said.
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ROLLING BLACKOUTS FOR THE WEEKEND
On Friday, Eskom announced that Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from 16:00 until midnight. Thereafter, Stage 1 will be implemented from 05:00 until 16:00 on Saturday, followed by Stage 4 until midnight.
This pattern will be repeated on Sunday.
