Load shedding has been suspended for 163 consecutive days and Eskom achieves a R12 billion reduction in diesel expenditure it announced on Friday.
The power utility said a structural shift in the performance of the generation fleet continues to yield positive results and thus load shedding remains suspended.
Eskom spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena said this achievement includes a winter period free from load shedding, a milestone last reached six years ago in 2018, despite the highest contracted demand reaching a peak of 33,385MW recorded on July 9.
In the past seven days, Eskom has not utilised its Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), resulting in diesel expenditure of R3.62 billion from April 1 to 0September 5, 2024. This is a 77% reduction compared to the R15.74 billion spent during the same period last year. Eskoms Energy Availability Factor (EAF) averaged 66% over the past week, with top-performing stations such as Kusile, Grootvlei, Kendal, Lethabo, Matla, and the peaking stations maintaining an EAF above 70%.
Additionally, two other power stations sustained an EAF above 60%. The continued improvement in the generation fleets performance is attributed to the recovery plan, accelerated maintenance, collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and the dedication of power station managers and their teams, Mokwena said.
