Planned 9-hour power outage set for parts of Gauteng on Wednesday
Parts of Gauteng should prepare for a power outage on Wednesday, 4 September, as Eskom undertakes essential maintenance.
Residents of Chiawelo, Soweto, should brace for a power outage on Wednesday, 4 September, due to essential maintenance work by Eskom on its distribution network.
The outage, scheduled from 9:00 to 18:00, will impact all customers in the area. Eskom has urged residents to treat all electrical appliances live during the outage to ensure safety. The utility company thanked the public for their cooperation and apologised for any inconvenience caused by this necessary work.
Unprecedented streak of stable power supply
In contrast to the planned outage in Chiawelo, Eskom has shared some positive news. The utility has achieved 156 consecutive days of uninterrupted power supply since 26 March. Load shedding, a persistent issue in South Africa, remains suspended during this period. This stability has also allowed Eskom to reduce its diesel expenditure by R11.08 billion, a significant financial relief for the company.
The winter season saw Eskom maintaining a reliable power supply thanks to structural improvements within its operations.
Efficiency gains and future prospects
Eskom’s operational success is reflected in its Energy Availability Factor (EAF), which averaged 67% over the past week.
“Eskom maintained an average Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 67% over the past seven days, with the best-performing stations – Kusile, Kendal, Matimba, Medupi, Matla and the peaking stations – sustaining an EAF of above 70%.
“Additionally, the three power stations that have achieved an EAF above 60% in past week sustained this improvement.
“This is due to the continued benefits of accelerating and executing planned maintenance, partnering with the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and the dedication of power station managers and their teams,” said Eskom.
Ongoing planned maintenance currently stands at 5983MW, aligning with Eskom’s winter strategy. These efforts are expected to bolster plant reliability, ensuring that the utility continues to meet the country’s electricity demands. Eskom’s proactive approach offers hope for a stable electricity supply throughout the summer months, reducing the risk of returning to load shedding.