South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, on Sunday, 22 January, announced that load shedding would be permanently implemented over the next two years.
Eskom chairperson, Mpho Makwana, said power cuts between Stages 2 and 3 are planned for the next two years.
Makwana said this will create “some predictability” and allow the power utility enough room to perform maintenance and increase the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) enough to put an end to load shedding within the next two years. Said Makwana:
The global average for EAF is about 86%. We’re looking to grow from our current 58% EAF to 70% in the next two years.
The planned journey to 70% is hoped to take place on the following timeline:
- 60% EAF — end-March 2023
- 65% EAF — end-March 2024
- 70% EAF — end-March 2025
The outgoing Eskom CEO, Andre de Ruyter, said the possibility of Stage 8 load shedding is receding but an “inherent risk” remains. He said:
The possibility of stage 8 load-shedding is receding, which is comforting and positive.
However, there is always an inherent risk, and for that purpose, we have to protect our diesel reserves.
Eskom Chief Operating Officer, Jan Oberholzer, said 43% of the utility’s electricity-generating units are currently offline due to breakdowns and planned maintenance. | My Broadband