Eskom has made a significant achievement in reaching an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 70.78%, a milestone that was last accomplished almost three years ago. This announcement was made by Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the Minister in The Presidency responsible for Electricity, during a media briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan. The power utility has successfully suspended load shedding for over a month, which is a positive development for the country’s energy supply.
Peak In Energy Availability
Minister Ramokgopa emphasized the significance of Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor surpassing the 70% mark. He highlighted that the last time this level was achieved was in August 2021. The statistics for the month-to-date indicate that the EAF stands at 64.34%, while the year-to-date figure is 59.92%. This improvement has been a gradual process, starting from the appointment of the current Eskom board in October 2022. It has been supported by various measures, including the Energy Action Plan introduced by President Ramaphosa in July 2022, the appointment of the Minister in The Presidency responsible for Electricity, the stabilization of the management team, the implementation of performance-related incentive bonuses, and the prioritization of critical stations requiring attention.
The Minister acknowledged that the country experienced higher stages of load shedding due to extensive maintenance and other factors. However, the government believed that enduring the short-term challenges would lead to long-term benefits. The aggressive maintenance-led recovery plan has started to yield positive results. In December 2023 and January 2024, the country witnessed the highest levels of planned maintenance in three years, with 18% of the total generating capacity undergoing scheduled maintenance. These units are now being brought back online, contributing to the improved performance of Eskom’s coal fleet. As a result, the power utility is becoming less reliant on the Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) that consume diesel fuel.
Road To Stabilization
Overall, Eskom’s achievement of an Energy Availability Factor of 70.78% is a significant milestone that demonstrates the progress made in stabilizing the country’s energy supply. The concerted efforts of the government, Eskom’s management team, and the implementation of various measures have contributed to this improvement. Essentially, the focus on maintenance, the introduction of performance-related incentives, and the isolation of critical stations have all played a crucial role in enhancing Eskom’s operational efficiency.
