Eskom has announced a scheduled power outage in Thubelisha, Soweto, on Wednesday, 30 October, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
This outage is part of a maintenance initiative aimed at improving the local distribution network. Eskom advises residents and businesses to consider all electrical appliances live during the maintenance window to ensure safety.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this maintenance,” Eskom said.
Eskom’s recent maintenance efforts have allowed the utility to achieve 212 consecutive days without load shedding since 26 March.
This success is attributed to its Generation Recovery Plan, which has strengthened energy stability across South Africa.
With a year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 63%, Eskom’s top-performing power stations, such as Kusile and Grootvlei, have surpassed a 70% EAF, reflecting significant operational improvements.
Eskom has also managed to reduce unplanned power outages, which last week ranged between 10,000MW and 11,800MW, 2,295MW below the anticipated summer baseline. This reduction highlights Eskom’s increased operational efficiency.
Additionally, Eskom has lowered its dependence on costly Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), with a 66.5% decrease in expenditure, amounting to R6.2 billion, between April and October 2024 compared to the previous year.
Looking forward, Eskom’s summer outlook anticipates continued reliability and reduced reliance on OCGTs.
The current maintenance level of 6,591MW aligns with Eskom’s strategy to enhance system reliability for the coming winter.
This year, the utility has also made strides in lowering the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) from 33.61% to 25.4%, reinforcing system efficiency and resilience.
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