Power company insists the continuous suspension of load shedding is due to sufficient generation capacity, resulting from a more reliable generation fleet.
Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa have denied that the power utility used diesel excessively to ensure 44 days of uninterrupted power supply in South Africa.
The two entities issued separate media statements on Friday refuting claims in a Mail & Guardian report that Eskom is relying on its open-cycle gas turbines – powered by diesel – to avert load shedding in the weeks leading up to the national election on 29 May.
In the report, the newspaper also said that Nersa “has called out Eskom for blowing more than half of its quarterly budget for diesel” in the first quarter of the current financial year in just one month.Nersa said in a separate statement that it did not make any comments regarding Eskom’s use of diesel for generation and only responded to three questions posed by the newspaper. “Nersa has never ‘called out Eskom’ or raised concerns on the said allegation,” it says.
The regulator also noted that it distances itself from the media article and that it remains committed to being transparent in its decision-making processes, which follow all applicable laws.Unplanned outages have been reduced by 4 400MW since 26 April 2024 due to extensive maintenance and the success of the Generation Operational Recovery Plan initiated in March 2023.
“It is to be noted that the Eskom Board determines the budget, which resulted in a reduction from an 18% load factor for the 2024 financial year to a 12% load factor for the 2025 financial year, while Nersa’s allowance is at a 6% load factor. Eskom’s performance in April 2024 aligns closely with Nersa’s 6% load factor.” ADVERTISEMENT CONTINUE READING BELOW Read:SA moots new coal-plant closure to secure R46bnEskom added that it is required to utilise OCGTs to minimise load shedding.
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