The grid has not gone into total collapse even after 2 of the coldest days of Winter. Cold fronts swept across most parts of South Africa including Gauteng on Sunday and Monday (09 – 10th July 2023).
Parts of the Western Cape mountains were covered in snow, Sutherland, over the Swartberg, Nuweveld Mountains as well as Sneeuberge and Molteno in the Eastern Cape.
Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor, is reportedly closer to 70%, according to the Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. About 400 megawatts (MW) have been added to the grid and planned maintenance has also improved.
Speaking at a Webinar hosted by Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), General Manager for System Operator at Eskom, Isabel Frick, said that although South Africa does have a capacity generation problem, a system blackouts is not expected to occur.
She said, according to Government’s news agency, “we have never had a national blackout in South Africa. We have had two Regional ones before. One was an event where we had a transfer limit issue to the Western Cape and the other was a snow event in KwaZulu-Natal.”
South Africa has six “defensive barriers” to curb any likelihood of blackouts, including a reserve of about 2200 Megawatts.
Equipment is also designed as a barrier that should fail first, before there is a blackout. Thirdly, the network is monitored every second and any emergencies would be identified.
In May 2023, the South African Reserve Bank told the media “a grid collapse is unlikely but not impossible.”