In a recent media briefing, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa's Minister of Electricity, delivered an optimistic update on the country's Energy Action Plan, highlighting significant progress in the health of the South African energy system. The briefing, held on Tuesday, 23 January, revealed that the system's condition is surpassing government expectations.

Key developments in power generation

Koeberg’s Unit 1 achieves full power: The minister announced a major achievement with Koeberg’s Unit 1 now operating at full capacity, having successfully completed all commission tests “This is a major milestone for the extension of the life of this unit,” Ramokgopa said, adding that the unit will be able to produce an additional 27MW more than before.

Restoration of Kusile Units: The restoration of Kusile units 1, 2 and 3 has added back 2400 MW. Kusile currently has a special dispensation to use stacks below the normal environmental standards to help stabalise the grid. The minister said that work has been done to prepare and stabalise for a permanent solution, the goal to give contractors access to the chimney in need of maintenance and restoration.  Once contractors have access, a timeline for repairs can be established.
 

Replacement of Medupi 4: The minister also disclosed the replacement of the irreparably damaged Medupi 4 with a second-hand generator from the Netherlands. This generator, with a 25-year operational history and an estimated 15-year remaining lifespan, is expected to arrive on February 24 and contribute 800MW by August.

Koeberg Unit 2's timely return: The return to service of Koeberg Unit 2 is reportedly on schedule, with a planned reactivation in September 2024.

Improvements in system health

Ramokgopa announced that during the period January 8 to 22, the capacity that has been made available is consistently more than peak demand.

Facing accusations that load-shedding is then a choice and not a necessity, the minister said that 3000MW are produced using diesel, and Eskom is under a duty to remain within diesel usage parameters that are fundable and have been agreed upon, “Someone has to pay for it, and it will be the end consumer in tariff structures” he said.

The output of the country’s electricity is reduced by 8300MW due to planned maintenance, but the minister said an aggressive maintenance plan must be maintained to reduce unplanned capacity loss.

Partial load losses remained high, reducing generation by 6700MW. “The collective view is that we can do much better here,” the minister said.

Minister Ramokgopa expressed confidence in the rapid improvement of the system and maintained a positive outlook.