“With more OCGT usage, other unplanned outages being lower than last year, and residual demand being lower, Eskom has managed to avoid load-shedding,” the BER said.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/OCGT.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nEnergy expert Chris Yelland criticised Eskom this week for taking Koeberg offline without letting the public know. The incident was exposed via the media, and Eskom acknowledged it five days later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yelland shared feedback from Eskom,<\/strong><\/a> explaining that Unit 1 was “conservatively and safely shut down” on 11 September after one of its block valves failed its three-monthly routine test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe unit was shut down in order to restore redundancy of the steam pressure relief system in line with the operating technical specifications,\u201d the power utility said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe intervention has been completed, and the unit is in the process of being safely returned to service. All stakeholders who were required to notify were informed as per the stringent protocols.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eskom said the shutdown has not impacted its load-shedding suspension, adding that its summer outlook remains in force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While South Africa has been without load shedding for close to 180 days, Eskom’s summer outlook still makes provision for national outages. However, if load shedding were to ever return, it would be capped at stage 2, it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The group expects no load shedding as long as breakdowns remain below 13,000MW. If breakdowns exceed 15,000MW, load shedding could return \u2013 but capped at stage 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A scenario of no load shedding should be achievable, given that Eskom has managed to keep outages below the 13,000MW throughout winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eskom’s last update noted that unplanned outages have been averaging between 9,800MW and 13,100MW, well below the Summer Outlook projections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regardless, the return of Koeberg unit 1 cannot come soon enough, with South Africa being hit by a cold snap this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A severe low-pressure system is set to sweep over large parts of the country, bringing rain, cold weather, and snowfall. These conditions are also expected to produce a spike in electricity demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n