Eskom has been utilizing diesel-fuelled auxiliary generators extensively to stave off energy cuts in South Africa following delays in restoring some technology capability.
The utility fired up the models after 2.7GW of capability did not return to service on 23 September as deliberate, Eskom stated in a reply to questions. “Moreover, higher-than-expected electrical energy demand pushed by chilly climate has contributed to this case,” it stated.
Whereas Eskom has been lauded for stopping rolling blackouts for greater than six straight months, plant outages have led to “intensive utilization” of diesel-burning open-cycle gasoline generators meant to run throughout peak demand.
Diesel prices
The utility used extra energy from the models in September than it did throughout the identical month final 12 months. Nonetheless, diesel prices to run the generators from April by means of final month have been lowered to a few third of the R17.1-billion spent throughout the identical interval in 2023, Eskom stated.
The outlook of no load shedding by means of to the top of March 2025 “stays in power”, Eskom stated. — (c) 2024 Bloomberg LP
