As South Africa prepares for some of the coldest winter days yet, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has expressed confidence in significant improvements in the power generation system, enabling Eskom to handle any additional surges in demand.
While the country has experienced a relatively mild winter thus far, temperatures are expected to drop below zero in parts of Gauteng, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape starting Monday and are predicted to remain low throughout the week. Concerns have been raised that the cold snap will result in more intensive loadshedding.
According to News24, during a press briefing on Sunday, Ramokgopa stated that the solution to the loadshedding problem lies primarily in improving the generation side. He reportedly emphasised that if the power generation machinery performs as expected, there should be no problems, even if demand exceeds 34 000 MW or 36 000 MW.
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Originally, Eskom predicted a peak demand of 34 000 MW for the winter season, but the highest recorded so far was 30 800 MW on a single day earlier this month. Despite the expected increase in demand as temperatures drop, the system is expected to be able to handle it.
‘The resolution of the loadshedding issue is principally on your generation’s side. Even if demand were to surge in the worst-case scenario, if these machines were performing at the rate at which we were expecting them to, we shouldn’t have a problem. Even if demand gets to 34 000 MW or 36 000 MW, we shouldn’t have a problem,’ he said.
Rudi Dicks, a Presidency official present at the briefing, mentioned that in a base-case scenario, the peak demand for the upcoming week is projected to reach around 32 000 MW, but the latest forecast indicates it will be just over 30 000 MW. Dicks assured that the system has sufficient flexibility to accommodate peak demand and variations in weather patterns.
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Ramokgopa attributed the significant improvement in loadshedding in recent weeks to a focus on improving generation capacity, allowing for increased planned maintenance. Eskom has also leveraged the expertise of over 100 private sector professionals who have contributed to the utility’s recovery efforts. Ramokgopa expressed appreciation for the collaboration with the private sector, as their experienced individuals have been working alongside Eskom staff, sharing knowledge and empowering them to operate independently in the future.
Furthermore, Ramokgopa highlighted the private sector’s investment in finding a solution to the energy crisis, as they recognise the importance of a stable electricity supply for their businesses’ growth and competitiveness.
Notably, South Africa has reportedly made progress in improving its energy availability factor, currently at approximately 60%, thanks to enhanced generation capacity.
Ramokgopa emphasised that the reduction in loadshedding was not a result of chance but rather the outcome of interventions by the government and businesses to keep loadshedding at lower stages. He added that the implementation of aggressive campaigns to encourage households to reduce electricity usage has also contributed to alleviating pressure on the grid.
Ramokgopa emphasised that Eskom has managed to keep the number of trips or failing units consistently at or below the planned threshold of 15 000 MW. Additionally, outage slips, which previously accounted for a significant portion of loadshedding, have allegedly been reduced to 1 351 MW, representing a substantial improvement that the ministry aims to further enhance.
These improvements are attributed to the expertise available, collaboration with original equipment manufacturers, and a scientific approach to understanding and addressing issues.
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Picture: @Kgosientsho_R / Twitter