Mpho Makwana, chairman of Eskom’s board. (Photo: Eskom)
The chairman of Eskom’s board’s promise to get the power supplier’s energy availability factor (EAF) to 60% by the end of March “is a resounding failure”, says the DA. This is because Eskom’s weekly data on its EAF shows that it currently stands at 52%.
“With industry experts consistently pointing out that Eskom will not be able to increase its EAF in the short term, Mpho Makwana’s insistence on a high EAF by the end of March can only be interpreted as a deliberate political message uttered to give false assurance to to give the citizens,” says Ghaleb Cachalia, the DA’s spokesperson on public enterprises.
“In the midst of a power crisis, it is important that Eskom is honest with South Africans and refrains from making misleading forecasts about power supply.”
According to Cachalia, the DA has always maintained that it will be extremely difficult for Eskom to improve its EAF with its aging coal plants.
“The coal plants have proven to be unreliable as they continue to struggle with breakdowns as more generating units reach the end of their working lives,” he says.
“Removing barriers for independent power producers and investing more in renewable energy is a much-needed first step to improving the EAF.”
Cachalia argues that it is also important to invest in infrastructure that can give independent power producers the necessary access to the power grid.
“Instead of making big promises, the Eskom board and the new electricity minister should concentrate on power supply in the coming winter months.”
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