Eskom now operates a resilient power system, with excess capacity
10 August 2017
Whereas security of power supply was the key concern two years ago, the focus has now shifted to managing surplus capacity, said Eskom’s Interim Group Chief Executive Johnny Dladla.
As a result of additional new generating capacity added from Medupi, Ingula and Kusile power stations and our rigorous fleet maintenance programme, plant availability has improved from 69.9% in 2015 to 77.3% at the end of March this year. Adherence to a strict plant maintenance programme has also resulted in a drastic reduction in unplanned maintenance and the number of breakdowns over the past two years.
“In terms of our existing Generation Sustainability Strategy, we aim to achieve 80% plant availability, 10% planned maintenance and 10% unplanned maintenance by 2020,” said Dladla.
To manage the surplus capacity, Dladla said Eskom has adopted an aggressive sales volume growth to support economic growth by encouraging an annual growth of 2.1% in local demand and 8% in export sales over the next five years.