Eskom schedules 9-hour power outage in parts of Johannesburg

Eskom has announced a planned power outage in Thubelisha, Soweto, from 9:00 to 18:00 on Wednesday, 30 October. This interruption, part of a scheduled maintenance effort, will impact the distribution network in the area. Eskom urges customers to treat all electrical appliances as live during this period, prioritising safety for all households and businesses in the region.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this maintenance,” Eskom stated.

Maintenance Progress Fuels Load Shedding-Free Streak

Eskom’s recent maintenance efforts have contributed to 212 consecutive days without load shedding since 26 March. The company attributes this achievement to its Generation Recovery Plan, which has been critical in maintaining a stable energy supply across South Africa. With an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) averaging 63% for the year to date and several top-performing power stations like Kusile and Grootvlei reaching over 70% EAF, Eskom has shown a marked improvement in its operational stability.

“Our improved performance, especially compared to last summer, showcases the strides we are making,” said the entity.

“We’re focused on maintaining reliability and sustaining this load shedding-free period as long as possible.”

Reduced Unplanned Outages and Lower OCGT Reliance

Eskom has also successfully reduced unplanned power outages, which ranged between 10 000MW and 11 800MW this past week, 2,295MW below the summer 2024 base. This improvement highlights Eskom’s enhanced operational efficiency. Additionally, Eskom has cut its reliance on costly Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), spending R6.2 billion between April and October 2024—a 66.5% reduction from the previous year.

Looking ahead, Eskom’s summer outlook predicts a continuation of reliable supply and reduced reliance on OCGTs. Planned maintenance, currently at 6591MW, aligns with the utility’s strategy to increase reliability for the upcoming winter.

This year, Eskom’s progress in reducing the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) from 33.61% to 25.4% demonstrates improvements in system efficiency and resilience.

Will Eskom’s consistent performance lead to a loadshedding-free summer, or could unforeseen challenges disrupt the forecast?

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