Lentswe, Klerksdorp - Last week Friday January 3, Eskom reached 282 consecutive days without implementing load-shedding. According to Eskom this signals structural improvements in generation performance and has also resulted in year-to-date diesel savings of R16.52 billion. The plan has recently enabled the successful return of Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 to the national grid on December 30.
This milestone follows extensive upgrades as part of a comprehensive Long-Term Operation (LTO) programme aimed at extending the unit’s operational lifespan by 20 years. Eskom is currently in the process of ramping up the unit to its full capacity of 930MW, in accordance with operational procedures. “We anticipate reaching full load by mid-January 2025, provided each step meets our commissioning procedure. Combined, Units 1 and 2 will supply 1 860MW, providing a reliable and stable baseload supply, playing a pivotal role in reducing load-shedding and stabilising the grid.’’
While load-shedding remains suspended, Eskom continues to face network overloading issues in certain local areas due to illegal connections, vandalism, meter tampering, unauthorised network operations, theft of network equipment, and purchasing electricity from unlicensed vendors.
To prevent public safety hazards and the risk of network overloading, which can lead to load reduction measures and extended unplanned power outages, Eskom strongly urges customers to avoid illegal connections. Such actions can negatively impact the entire local community and result in hefty remedial fines.
It is also essential for customers to purchase electricity only from authorised vendors.
Eskom urges the public to help protect the integrity of the power network by reporting any illegal activities to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.
