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Eskom is progressing well with the maintenance of its power generating plant whilst supplying the country’s electricity needs. No load shedding is anticipated today.

Eskom supplies approximately 96% of South Africa’s electricity and more than 45% of Africa. Eskom uses various technologies to generate electricity, the combination of which is called the ‘plant mix’. The utility is constantly investigating other forms of energy and renewable energy sources that could be used to expand its current plant mix.

Coal-fired base load power stations make up the largest portion of Eskom’s plant mix. These stations use coal as their energy source and operate 24 hours a day to meet the demand for electricity. Eskom’s Generation Division has 14 coal-fired power stations with an installed capacity of 38 548 MW.

Africa’s first nuclear power station, Koeberg, is also a base load station, with capacity of 1 940 MW of power.

The generation mix also includes two conventional hydroelectric power stations and two hydro pumped storage schemes. These stations are used when there is a sudden increase, or peak, in the demand for electricity which cannot immediately be met by the base load stations. They have a combined capacity of 2 000 MW.

The last of the present mix are four quick reaction gas turbine power stations with an installed capacity of 2 426 MW. These stations are used only at peak periods and during extreme emergencies due to their very high operating costs. The two smaller, ‘older generation’ open cycle gas turbine stations (OCGTs) use kerosene to power their engines whereas the two new gas power stations run on diesel.

Sere Wind Farm is Eskom’s flagship 100MW renewable project, demonstrating the our commitment to sustainable development.

We will continue to provide regular updates on the state of the power system through various media platforms.

Issued by Eskom