South Africa’s power utility Eskom sees a reduction in load shedding ahead of elections

Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, has experienced a significant reduction in the intensity of power cuts, leading to optimism about the country’s energy crisis. As the general election approaches, questions arise about whether Eskom’s improvements are genuine or politically motivated.

A month before the general election, Eskom has managed to keep the lights on consistently throughout April, a stark contrast to the Stage 2 and 3 load shedding experienced in March 2024. The utility attributes this improvement to the implementation of the Energy Action Plan and the generation recovery plan, as well as a decline in demand and contributions from renewables.

However, critics, including opposition parties, have raised concerns that the absence of load shedding is a strategic move by the ruling ANC ahead of the elections. The Presidency, however, has refuted these claims.

In a recent media briefing, Eskom’s new CEO Dan Marokane and head of generation Bheki Nxumalo highlighted the utility’s progress over the past year. They anticipate limiting load shedding to Stage 2 during the upcoming winter, with fewer days of power cuts compared to the previous winter.

While Eskom has seen improvements in unplanned breakdowns, its energy availability factor (EAF) falls short of the target set in its recovery plan. The EAF measures the average percentage of electricity available for dispatch at any given time, with Eskom aiming to improve it to 70% by March 2025.

Despite these challenges, Eskom’s reliability has shown signs of improvement, with fewer unplanned losses and unit trips compared to the previous year. Additionally, a decline in demand for grid power, coupled with contributions from private solar installations, has helped stabilize the electricity situation.

However, Eskom’s reduction in load shedding has raised questions about its increased diesel usage. Critics argue that this could lead to higher costs and economic implications down the line. Nonetheless, Eskom remains optimistic about its progress and its ability to provide more stable electricity in the future.