Energy – 29 April 2024
ENERGY
- Eskom group CEO Dan Marokane has provided assurances that loadshedding during the upcoming winter months will likely be contained at Stage 2, thanks to improvements in generation performance across the coal-fired power station fleet. Between April 2023 and March 2024, Eskom recorded a 9% year-on-year reduction in unplanned losses and a 19% decrease in unit trips. In addition to the no-loadshedding trend in April, Eskom’s diesel spend averages 50% lower compared with the same time last year. (Source)
- Electricity minister rejects election claims. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa rejected claims that the suspension of load-shedding since late March had anything to do with the upcoming general election. Speaking at a news briefing Monday, he said Eskom has been better able to meet demand because of factors ranging from an improvement in generation performance to lower demand. By this week, South Africa had experienced 26 consecutive load-shedding-free days. He said the country is much closer to the end of load-shedding, but the reliability of the coal fleet is still a problem and load-shedding is not a thing of the past. (Source)
- Transmission company to start trading. The National Transmission Company of SA, which has been established as part of the unbundling of Eskom’s generation, distribution and transmission businesses, is expected to start trading by the beginning of July. This is about three months later than planned. Eskom previously said that it expected the NTCSA to begin operating from 1 April. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said one of the benefits to South African consumers would be lower energy prices due to competition, allowing buyers to procure from the seller offering the lowest prices. (Source)
