Eskom’s generation performance showing positive trajectory: report

The Minister’s office emphasised that he is “working closely” with the power utility to address challenges at power stations.

Despite facing a raft of challenges, Eskom’s generation performance is showing a positive trajectory.

This is according to a statement from the office of Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, in response to the release of a report on Eskom’s coal-fired power stations following an assessment undertaken by a team of international experts.

The assessment was conducted at the behest of National Treasury as one of the conditions attached to the R254 billion debt relief arrangement afforded to the power utility last year.

“The period covered in the report predates the appointment of a Group Executive for Generation, which has since provided further impetus to numerous interventions aimed at improving operational capacity of Eskom plants.

“Following this appointment, a Generation Recovery Plan has been consolidated and various elements have already been implemented, resulting in the reduction of the severity of load shedding, and a sustained improvement in the generation performance, with all indicators showing a positive trajectory,” Ramokgopa’s office said in a statement.

The report covers an assessment period from March to May 2023 and recommends, amongst others, that maintenance at power plants must be stepped up – even at the cost of increased load shedding.

The Minister’s office emphasised that he is “working closely” with the power utility to address challenges at power stations.

“The Generation Recovery Plan continues to be monitored, measured and re-evaluated to drive further improvements to the generation system in all respects to re-establish continuity of supply, reliability, efficiency, and public trust.

“The Minister and Eskom have been working hard on further interventions and strategic initiatives to stabilise the utility which has created a pathway to address both the limitations of Generation and Transmission capacity, including funding requirements,” the statement read.

Last week, the power utility welcomed the report and said plant availability has “significantly improved” since its release.

“Over the nine months since the report’s assessment period, positive results have included design-related issues at Medupi and Kusile power stations, which have been addressed through modifications. This has improved maintenance and operations, and significantly improved plant availability. This is evident in the much-improved performance at Medupi, which remains among Eskom’s most-reliable power stations following the modifications.

“Furthermore, as of January 2024, a total of 3 510MW was recovered through concerted efforts focusing on priority power stations. Each power station has its own detailed recovery plan, and these are centrally monitored to ensure successful implementation of the actions. The synchronisation of Kusile Unit 6 into the grid, the return of Medupi Unit 4 and Koeberg Unit 2 Long-Term Operation project are also on track. Combined, these three units will add 2 500MW to the grid by year-end,” the power utility said. 

(With Inputs from South African Government Press Release)