Eskom predicts stage 2 load shedding over winter, stage 5 in worst-case scenario

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: Molefe Seeletsa
• Publication title: Citizen, The (South Africa)

The power utility briefed the media on Friday regarding its winter plan from April to the end of August

South Africa has not experienced load shedding for 30 consecutive days as of Friday, the longest stretch so far in 2024.

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa previously attributed the decrease in the intensity and frequency of load shedding to planned maintenance.

No load shedding, less diesel usage

In Friday's briefing, Eskom board chairperson Mteto Nyati indicated that the energy action plan has yielded results for the power utility, although the energy availability factor (EAF) target of 65% by the end of April wasn't met.

The EAF currently stands at 61%.

Nyati pointed out that even though the goal wasn't achieved, it was in line with Eskom's performance plan.

Eskom chief executive officer (CEO) Dan Marokane said in addition to the country not experiencing load shedding over the past month, it was achieved with spending 50% less on diesel compared to the same period last year.

ALSO READ: Eskom's break from load shedding explained

"We are not burning diesel to the extent that others would like to believe," Marokane told reporters on Friday.

Eskom anticipates allocating a R30 billion budget for diesel procurement in the current financial year.

The Department of Public Enterprises recently revealed that Eskom has spent R64.78 billion on diesel in the past five years – since May 2019.

The power utility, which burns diesel to power the open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) to reduce the stages of load shedding, spent R23 billion in the past year.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan revealed this in his answer to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question.

Watch the briefing below:

Winter load shedding projection

Furthermore, Marokane confirmed that the likely scenario suggested that load shedding would be limited to stage 2 "at most" during this year's winter season.

He said if there are 50 load shedding days under stage 2...