Eskom announces 12-hour power cut for some areas in Gauteng
Eskom has announced that certain areas in Gauteng will face a planned electricity outage on Friday, 20 September.
Eskom has announced that Fourways will face a planned electricity outage on Friday, 20 September, from 8:00 to 20:00.
The outage will affect customers in Lonehill and Paulshof as part of ongoing maintenance on the distribution network. This maintenance aims to ensure the reliability and safety of the power supply in the area.
Residents are urged to treat all electrical appliances as live during the outage. Eskom has also apologised for the inconvenience caused by this necessary maintenance. “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time,” the utility said in its statement.
Operational improvements at Eskom
While customers in Fourways prepare for the outage, Eskom has shared positive news about its operational recovery. The Generation Operational Recovery Plan launched to address power generation challenges, has successfully provided stable energy, with no load shedding for 170 consecutive days since 26 March. This marks a significant achievement for Eskom and its customers.
“The recovery plan has allowed us to keep load shedding suspended, which is a major milestone,” said Eskom. Power stations like Kusile, Lethabo, and Camden have maintained energy availability factors (EAF) above 70%, contributing to the improved performance.
Diesel expenditure drops by 75%
Eskom has also reported a dramatic reduction in diesel costs. From 1 April to 12 September, the utility spent R4.16 billion on diesel, a sharp decrease from the R16.7 billion spent during the same period last year. This 75% reduction has been attributed to the decreased use of Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), which were heavily relied upon during previous power crises.
“We’ve made significant strides in reducing our operational costs while maintaining a consistent power supply,” Eskom stated.
Unplanned outages have also been lowered, with current outages standing at 12 570MW, below the summer 2024 base case.
Eskom’s outlook for summer remains positive, with no load shedding expected.