Power utility Eskom is starting the 2025 winter demand period on a far stronger note than the 2024 winter demand period, according to Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
According to Ramokgopa, the electrical grid is operating at a favourable level as we approach the winter season, guaranteeing dependable electricity for homes and businesses.
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, Ramokgopa gave a thorough update on the state of South Africa’s electricity generation performance.
The briefing came after Eskom announced that, in order to manage limited generation capacity and guarantee a steady supply during working days, Stage 2 loadshedding would be implemented during evening peak periods from Tuesday at 4pm to Thursday at 10pm.
Eskom group executive for generation Bheki Nxumalo and Eskom CEO Dan Marokane joined Ramokgopa at the media briefing, which was held at the GCIS media centre in Hatfield, Pretoria.
Planned maintenance at all-time high
According to Ramokgopa, continuous planned maintenance is the cause of the Stage 2 loadshedding that is currently in place.
“Planned maintenance is at an all-time high. This planned maintenance is necessary for short-term pain in order to achieve long-term gain,” said Ramokgopa.
Ramokgopa stated that the return of multiple units to the grid is the reason for a better winter 2025 outlook than the winter 2024 outlook, adding that all Koeberg units will be back on the grid by July.
The Kusile Unit 6 is now back on the grid and will supply 800 megawatts (MW). The Kusile Unit 6 was unavailable in the winter of 2024. The Medupi Unit 4 is also back on the grid, giving the country 800MW.
Ramokgopa, meanwhile, expressed regret for the return of Stage 2 loadshedding.
“We are likely to encounter setbacks. We know the country is disappointed, angry, aggrieved and feeling pain. We will get it right,” he said.
“We will ensure that there is a time whereby loadshedding is behind us and that people can get an uninterrupted supply of electricity.”
Intensive maintenance cycle
Stage 2 loadshedding was implemented in response to the delayed return of 3 120MW of generating units and an additional loss of 1 385MW over the last 24 hours as a result of unscheduled breakdowns, according to Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena.
“The primary reason for this setback is the delay in returning several units from planned
maintenance,” said Mokwena.
“These delays, coupled with an unplanned capacity loss that has now temporarily exceeded 13 000MW, align with the risk scenarios shared in our winter 2025 outlook.
“Eskom is currently emerging from an intensive maintenance cycle, which is essential for long-term reliability but temporarily reduces system flexibility and resilience. As a result, the grid is more sensitive to unexpected disruptions.”
Despite current pressures, Mokwena said the system is in a significantly stronger position than in past winters.
