- Eskom has urged residents to treat all electrical appliances as live during a scheduled maintenance outage in Fourways and apologised for the inconvenience.
- The utility has reported no load shedding for 170 consecutive days due to its successful Generation Operational Recovery Plan and has achieved a 75% reduction in diesel costs compared to last year.
Residents are advised to treat all electrical appliances as live during a scheduled outage, as Eskom has announced necessary maintenance in the Fourways area. The utility apologises for the inconvenience this may cause, stating, “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.”
Amid this maintenance, Eskom has also shared positive developments regarding its operational recovery. The Generation Operational Recovery Plan, designed to tackle power generation challenges, has proven successful, resulting in a stable energy supply and no load shedding for an impressive 170 consecutive days since March 26, 2024. This achievement is a significant milestone for Eskom and its customers.
Eskom highlighted that the recovery plan has prevented load shedding, significantly improving service reliability. Power stations, including Kusile, Lethabo, and Camden, have reported energy availability factors (EAF) exceeding 70%, which has played a critical role in enhancing overall performance.
Financially, Eskom has noted a substantial reduction in diesel costs, which are crucial for maintaining power supply during outages. From April 1 to September 12, the utility spent R4.16 billion on diesel, a remarkable drop from R16.7 billion during the same period last year. This 75% reduction is attributed to the decreased reliance on Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), extensively used during previous power crises.
“We’ve made significant strides in reducing our operational costs while maintaining a consistent power supply,” Eskom stated, reflecting its commitment to improving efficiency. The utility has also reported a decrease in unplanned outages, with current figures at 12,570 MW, below the projected base case for summer 2024.
These developments signal a positive trend for Eskom as it seeks to restore public confidence in its operations and services. The ongoing maintenance and operational improvements demonstrate the utility’s efforts to balance necessary infrastructure work to provide reliable power to its customers.
As the maintenance proceeds, Eskom remains focused on enhancing its operational capabilities while ensuring safety measures are in place for residents during the outage. The utility’s proactive communication and transparency aim to keep customers informed and engaged during this critical period.