23-04-2013, 03:46 PM
Pretoria - Power parastatal Eskom will do all it can to prevent blackouts even though generation maintenance will be conducted in winter.
At a media briefing on the state of the system on Monday, Eskom said it will conduct generation maintenance during the winter period with at least nine generation units expected to be maintained between April and August. The utility usually reduces maintenance to a minimum in winter.
Additionally there was sufficient capacity to meet the demand most of the day with concern being raised during the peak hours of between 5pm and 9pm.
On whether there was risk of a blackout, Eskom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brian Dames said the utility will not put the country at the risk of a blackout.
“What we experienced in 2008 is different to a blackout. A blackout means that electricity is out for an extended period of time and for us that is something that we would not want to get close to. We will take whatever measures,†he said, adding that the utility would dump the load if it had to, to protect the country.â€
There had been no load shedding since the interrupted power supplies of 2008.
“We have very clear contingency measures as to how we would recover from such a situation [that of a blackout],†he said, adding that the last time a blackout was experienced was in the 60s.
Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) Minister Malusi Gigaba said all steps to prevent load shedding were being taken. “We will do all whatever we can to keep the lights on but this is not the sole responsibility of Eskom, we need a behavioural change, everyone must play their role,†said Gigaba.
The power system has been particularly tight and planned maintenance this year was impacted upon the failure of a transmission line from Mozambique due to flooding that reduced imports from Cahora Bassa and the unplanned outage of Koeberg Unit 1 among others.
The National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) recent determination of the Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD3) added a challenge to managing a tight system by reducing Eskom’s ability to procure additional demand and supply side levers.
Nersa granted Eskom an 8% tariff increase annually over a period of five years instead of the original total 16% hike it had asked for.
Gigaba said it was necessary to embark on a “rigorous study†of what the company needs to do in light of the decision. In a few weeks’ time the full implication of the decision will be presented to the minister by a joint DPE and Eskom team. It is expected to address issues of the price of coal among others.
“Whilst Nersa’s decision on Eskom’s third multi-year price determination application (MYPD3) is welcomed, the implications of the lower tariff and revenue approved on Eskom’s operations and overall business sustainability are currently being investigated.
“Nersa’s decision on tariffs is fair on customers but difficult on Eskom,†said Gigaba
Dames said that an Energy Conservation Scheme or similar measures is needed as a safety net. The utility said Dames had opted for a voluntary energy scheme with its customers with some saving over 10% of electricity. “Customers can adapt but we believe we should have a mandatory one as a safety net,†said Dames.
On whether there should be a mandatory conservation scheme, DPE is in talks with the Department of Energy. “Given the Nersa decision it is necessary to assist Eskom, discussions are taking place. It would be premature to say which customers would be affected and when it would be appropriate to introduce it,†added Gigaba. - SAnews.gov.za
At a media briefing on the state of the system on Monday, Eskom said it will conduct generation maintenance during the winter period with at least nine generation units expected to be maintained between April and August. The utility usually reduces maintenance to a minimum in winter.
Additionally there was sufficient capacity to meet the demand most of the day with concern being raised during the peak hours of between 5pm and 9pm.
On whether there was risk of a blackout, Eskom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brian Dames said the utility will not put the country at the risk of a blackout.
“What we experienced in 2008 is different to a blackout. A blackout means that electricity is out for an extended period of time and for us that is something that we would not want to get close to. We will take whatever measures,†he said, adding that the utility would dump the load if it had to, to protect the country.â€
There had been no load shedding since the interrupted power supplies of 2008.
“We have very clear contingency measures as to how we would recover from such a situation [that of a blackout],†he said, adding that the last time a blackout was experienced was in the 60s.
Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) Minister Malusi Gigaba said all steps to prevent load shedding were being taken. “We will do all whatever we can to keep the lights on but this is not the sole responsibility of Eskom, we need a behavioural change, everyone must play their role,†said Gigaba.
The power system has been particularly tight and planned maintenance this year was impacted upon the failure of a transmission line from Mozambique due to flooding that reduced imports from Cahora Bassa and the unplanned outage of Koeberg Unit 1 among others.
The National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) recent determination of the Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD3) added a challenge to managing a tight system by reducing Eskom’s ability to procure additional demand and supply side levers.
Nersa granted Eskom an 8% tariff increase annually over a period of five years instead of the original total 16% hike it had asked for.
Gigaba said it was necessary to embark on a “rigorous study†of what the company needs to do in light of the decision. In a few weeks’ time the full implication of the decision will be presented to the minister by a joint DPE and Eskom team. It is expected to address issues of the price of coal among others.
“Whilst Nersa’s decision on Eskom’s third multi-year price determination application (MYPD3) is welcomed, the implications of the lower tariff and revenue approved on Eskom’s operations and overall business sustainability are currently being investigated.
“Nersa’s decision on tariffs is fair on customers but difficult on Eskom,†said Gigaba
Dames said that an Energy Conservation Scheme or similar measures is needed as a safety net. The utility said Dames had opted for a voluntary energy scheme with its customers with some saving over 10% of electricity. “Customers can adapt but we believe we should have a mandatory one as a safety net,†said Dames.
On whether there should be a mandatory conservation scheme, DPE is in talks with the Department of Energy. “Given the Nersa decision it is necessary to assist Eskom, discussions are taking place. It would be premature to say which customers would be affected and when it would be appropriate to introduce it,†added Gigaba. - SAnews.gov.za