Eskom Fires Up Diesel Turbines to Prevent Load Shedding Amid Capacity Delays

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. has been relying heavily on its diesel-fueled open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) to avoid power cuts in South Africa, following delays in restoring key generation capacity.

The utility reported that 2,685 megawatts of capacity, initially scheduled to return on September 23, failed to do so, prompting Eskom to activate its diesel units to meet the country’s electricity demand. Additionally, colder-than-expected weather has driven up energy consumption, exacerbating the strain on the power grid.

In response to questions, Eskom stated, “Higher-than-expected electricity demand driven by cold weather has contributed to this situation.” Despite these challenges, Eskom has successfully prevented rolling blackouts for over six consecutive months.

Increased Usage of Diesel Turbines

While Eskom has been praised for its efforts to avoid load shedding, the utility acknowledged that plant outages have led to an “extensive usage” of its diesel turbines, which are typically intended for short-term, peak demand periods. According to Eskom, it used more power from these units in September 2024 than during the same month in the previous year.

However, despite the increased reliance on the diesel turbines, Eskom has managed to slash its diesel expenditure. From April 2024 through September 2024, diesel costs have been cut to about one-third of the R17.1 billion (approximately $980 million) spent during the same period in 2023.

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Looking Ahead: No Load Shedding Forecast

Eskom remains optimistic about maintaining its load shedding-free record. The utility reaffirmed that the outlook for no power cuts through the end of March 2025 remains in effect, despite the recent challenges posed by higher demand and delayed capacity restoration.

By continuing to use diesel turbines and carefully managing energy resources, Eskom is committed to keeping the lights on across South Africa for the foreseeable future.

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