Improving Eskom’s energy availability key to addressing load shedding – Ramokgopa

MINISTER in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says the improvement of the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) is indispensable to the resolution of the current electricity crisis facing the country.

The minister was addressing a question-and-answer session of the Ministers in the Economic Cluster in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday.

Eskom’s low EAF at power stations has dogged the power utility’s ability to generate enough capacity to provide for usage during peak hours in the country, and improving the EAF is one of the key pillars of the Energy Action Plan.

“Eskom has about 14 coal-fired power stations, one nuclear and a number of peaking plants in the country. Coal power stations contribute about 80% of generation, so the EAF is indispensable to the resolution of the energy crisis.

“The current efficiency level of these plants is sitting at 53% and the Eskom board has approved