Eskom has invested a staggering R5.92 billion in Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) over the past six months, from 1 April to 3 October 2024, in a bid to avert load shedding, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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According to a recent Eskom statement, the Generation Operational Recovery Plan has proven highly effective, successfully suspending load shedding for an impressive 191 consecutive days since 26 March 2024, ensuring an uninterrupted power supply across the nation.
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‘Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) averaged 61% over the past week and 63.2% year-to-date. Top-performing stations such as Kusile, Majuba, Camden, and the peaking stations maintained an EAF above 70%,’ says the organisation.
Eskom announced on Friday that it had to rely on diesel-fuelled auxiliary turbines to maintain power after 2685 megawatts of capacity failed to return to service on 23 September 2024.
Recent plant outages have increased pressure on the national grid, forcing Eskom to depend on open-cycle gas turbines (OGCT) extensively.
Eskom’s expenditure on OCGTs between 1 April and 3 October 2024 increased to R5.92 billion having generated 883.0 GWh, approximately 66% (R11.51 billion) less than the R17.43 billion spent last year over the same period for 2 862.32GWh.
In August, Energy and Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa highlighted that an increase in the EAF reduces reliance on OCGT, leading to a 73% decrease in diesel usage since the start of the financial year.
Ramokgopa adds that the funds can be reinvested in generating units to sustain improvements and mitigate load shedding, with OCGT now used only when necessary.
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Picture: Eskom
