Signs of improvement at Eskom power stations
Eskom has announced slow but notable improvements to its power generation fleet over the past week.
The embattled company reported that six coal-fired power stations achieved an energy availability factor of 70%, a milestone last achieved in May 2022.
“Three of these power stations, Camden, Duvha and Matla, have been on a sustained upward trend as a result of a reduction of plant breakdowns and the return to service of a number of units that were on unplanned breakdowns.”
Eskom said that Lethabo, Matimba and Medupi have also been showcasing positive performance.
Lethabo most notably recovered from a wet coal incident as a result of recent flooding.
Eskom said that the recovery of the six power stations, despite only being early progress, shows an overall positive trajectory.
The company’s board chairperson, Mpho Makwana, said this gives assurance that if the company continues to apply an ‘all-hands-on-deck-approach,’ it will be able to improve the national energy availability.
Eskom said that it would continue to pursue its generation recovery programme to achieve sustained improvements in power generation.
South Africa has experienced rolling blackouts every day this year with little sign of it slowing down.
On Wednesday this week (15 March), Eskom eased load shedding to Stage 3 after a sizeable stint at higher stages. Previously, load shedding was alternating between stage 3 during the day and stage 4 in the evenings.
Despite a slight easing, households, businesses and the economy at large have been forking out millions to install alternative power supplies or keep diesel generators running.
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