Eskom has announced a slow but notable improvement in their power generation fleet in the past week. The power utility says six coal fired power stations achieved an energy availability factor of 70%, a milestone last achieved on 08 May 2022.

POSITIVE PERFOMANCE

 Eskom's Acting Group Chief Executive Calib Cassim said three of the power stations, Camden, Duvha, Matla have sustained an upward trend as a result of reduction of plant breakdowns and the return to service of a number of units that were on unplanned breakdowns. Cassim added that Lethabo, Matimba and Medupi have been experiencing continued good performance and remain among Eskom's three best performing stations. In addition, Lethabo was able to sustain performance after excessive rainfall. "While this is still an early process, it shows a positive trajectory from actions taken to recover Eskom generation plants. This is consistent with Eskom's target to achieve 70% EAF by 2025 financial year,' said Cassim. 

IMPROVEMENTS

 Eskom's Board Chairperson Mpho Makwana said: "The marked improvement in performance at Camden, Duvha, and Matla as well as the sustained commendable performance at Lethabo, Matimba and Medupi gives assurance that if we continue to apply an all-hands-on-deck-approach we will continue to improve the energy availability. "I specially commend the various teams at these power stations for the great work and also applaud all the Eskom employees for their continued hard work and dedication, "added Makwana. The organisation continues to pursue the generation programmes to recover operations and achieve sustained improvements in generation performance.

LOAD SHEDDING DOWNGRADED

The struggling power utility also announced on Friday morning that there has been further improvements in the generation capacity over the past 24 hours. "Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 12:00 midday on Friday until further notice. Eskom will provide an update as soon as any significant changes occur," Eskom said in a statement.