ESKOM’S ASTOUNDING TURNAROUND: A RECIPE FOR DISASTER?
In a shocking twist, Eskom has somehow managed to achieve a milestone it thought was impossible – topping 35GW of available generation capacity. But is this a sign of recovery, or a ticking time bomb waiting to unleash chaos on the grid?
For the first time in six years, Eskom has exceeded 35GW of available generation capacity, with the utility achieving this feat on July 23rd. But what’s even more astonishing is that this milestone was reached during the peak winter period, when demand is typically at its highest.
But don’t be fooled – this isn’t a cause for celebration. In fact, it’s a recipe for disaster. With Eskom’s reliability record, it’s only a matter of time before the grid collapses under the strain of increased demand.
And what about the fact that load shedding has been suspended for four consecutive months? Is this a sign of Eskom’s newfound efficiency, or a desperate attempt to mask its chronic underinvestment in infrastructure?
The truth is, Eskom’s "recovery plan" is nothing more than a Band-Aid solution to a much deeper problem. The utility’s reliance on diesel-burning open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) is a ticking time bomb, waiting to unleash a wave of pollution and inefficiency on the grid.
And what about the so-called "top performers" – the six power stations that have recorded energy availability factors above 70%? Are they really performing well, or are they just lucky to have avoided the usual winter outages?
The reality is that Eskom’s recovery plan is a house of cards, built on shaky foundations and waiting to come crashing down. And when it does, South Africa will be left to pick up the pieces.
READ MORE:
- Eskom’s "recovery plan" is a recipe for disaster – here’s why
- The real reason behind Eskom’s load shedding suspension
- How Eskom’s diesel-burning OCGTs are poisoning our air and grid
