Eskom Keeps the Lights On Despite Winter’s Chill: Power System Holding Strong

Winter’s arrival in South Africa often brings more than just chilly mornings—it means a spike in electricity demand as households reach for their heaters and kettles. But this year, Eskom is confident that despite the biting cold front sweeping the country, the power system remains stable and resilient.

Cold Weather Warnings, But No Load Shedding

The South African Weather Service has raised the alarm with multiple warnings about very cold, wet, and windy conditions, even forecasting snow in some areas. For many, this signals the start of heavy electricity use. Heating appliances, geysers, and electric blankets will likely be switched on in full force, pushing the grid.

Yet Eskom is reassuring South Africans that no load shedding is planned. Spokesperson Daphne Mokwena explained that while the grid occasionally faces constraints, Eskom has emergency reserves ready to tackle peak demand during cold mornings and evenings.

“Thanks to these measures, the system is stable, and we are prepared to handle the increased load that winter brings,” she said.

What Eskom’s Winter Outlook Means for You

Eskom’s recent Winter Outlook, covering May to the end of August, paints a cautiously optimistic picture. The utility says that as long as unexpected breakdowns stay below 13,000MW, there will be no need for load shedding. Even if outages spike up to 15,000MW, load shedding would be limited to stage 2 for no more than 21 days over the winter months.

This is welcome news in a country where winter used to almost guarantee power interruptions, disrupting homes and businesses alike.

The Role of Energy Theft and Illegal Connections

Mokwena also warned the public about the dangers of illegal electricity connections and energy theft. These activities not only strain transformers but cause equipment failures and, in extreme cases, dangerous explosions. Such incidents increase the risk of forced load reductions to protect the wider network.

“Communities need to play their part in safeguarding the grid by reporting illegal connections and reducing unnecessary electricity use,” Mokwena urged.

Progress in Maintenance and Less Diesel Dependence

Behind the scenes, Eskom is making steady progress maintaining its power plants. The Planned Capability Loss Factor (PCLF), which measures power unavailable due to maintenance, has dropped significantly, indicating more units are back online and available to generate electricity.

The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has also improved, now sitting comfortably between 61% and 64%. This means Eskom’s fleet of power stations is more reliable than earlier in the year.

Importantly, reliance on diesel-powered Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) is decreasing, with usage dropping from 12.7% last week to just over 6% recently. Diesel is expensive and not ideal for the environment, so this decline is a positive sign that cleaner, cheaper generation is returning.

What This Means for South Africans

For many South Africans, winter can be a tense time, wondering if the lights will flicker out as temperatures drop. But this year, Eskom’s message is clear: the grid is stable, the lights should stay on, and families can keep warm without worrying about sudden outages.

Still, the utility’s call to action is important. Energy theft and illegal connections threaten the fragile balance. It’s a reminder that keeping the lights on is a collective effort—government, industry, and citizens all have a role to play.

As Eskom continues to improve its infrastructure and manage demand, South Africa edges closer to a more reliable and sustainable power future. For now, let’s embrace the cold knowing our power system is holding strong.

{Source: The Citizen}

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