Eskom’s Load-Shedding Reprieve, while South Africans are enjoying a significant break from load-shedding, energy analysts are warning that the relief is not a sign of a permanent solution. Instead, they argue it’s a costly short-term strategy funded by the public purse.
The Illusion of Recovery
Eskom has recently suspended load-shedding, attributing the improvement to sustained generation capacity and lower electricity demand. However, independent energy experts suggest another, more expensive factor is at play: the extensive use of open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs).
These diesel-powered turbines are designed for peak-time emergencies, not for continuous, baseload power. Running them extensively is notoriously costly.
The High Cost of “No Load-Shedding” The article highlights a critical trade-off:
Massive Diesel Spend: Eskom has been burning billions of Rands worth of diesel to keep the lights on. This is not new generating capacity or improved plant performance, but a financial stopgap.
Who Pays? This enormous expense is ultimately funded by South African taxpayers and electricity consumers, either through direct government bailouts or future tariff increases approved by the energy regulator.
Unsustainable Strategy: Analysts contend that this approach is financially unsustainable. It “pulls the wool over the public’s eyes” by creating an illusion of stability that masks the ongoing fragility of the coal fleet.
The Data Behind the Disconnect
Eskom’s own data reveals the contradiction. While the utility reports improved Energy Availability Factor (EAF), its consumption of diesel has simultaneously skyrocketed. This indicates that the improved EAF figures are being artificially propped up by the expensive use of OCGTs, rather than stemming from genuine, reliable repairs to its coal power stations.
A Call for Transparency and Long-Term Solutions
The core criticism from analysts is a lack of transparency. The public sees the result—no load-shedding—but may not be aware of the financially draining mechanism behind it.
The conclusion is that this diesel-funded reprieve is a temporary respite, not a turnaround. The underlying issues at Eskom’s coal-fired power stations—including breakdowns, maintenance backlogs, and design flaws—remain largely unaddressed.
Without a genuine and sustainable recovery of the coal fleet, the risk of a return to severe load-shedding, once the budget for diesel runs low, remains very high.
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