Question NW3892 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
24 November 2022 - NW3892
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Considering the breakdown of a generating unit each at (a) Duvha, (b) Kriel and (c) Medupi Power Stations, and noting that delayed returns of a generating unit each at (d) Camden, (e) Kusile, (f) Komati and (g) Kendal Power Stations have worsened the current generation capacity shortages, (i) what maintenance plans does Eskom have in place for generating units and (ii) have the specified plans regularly been updated, in view of the frequent breakdowns of generating units?
Reply:
According to Information Received from Eskom:
(i) and (ii)
Generation has a capacity plan. This capacity plan identifies all “off-load” maintenance scheduled for each unit in the fleet. This plan is very detailed for the first year, but also identifies the maintenance space required for the following year. The plan is linked to required budgets as well as the required space on the system to allow the unit to be shut down for the maintenance. Planned maintenance requires a 24-month planning period to ensure that spares and services are available for the outages.
This capacity plan gets revised regularly and updated according to the evolving environment. The challenge with executing this plan is determined by the availability of the timely release of funding, the available space on the system to allow maintenance to occur, as well as the “readiness” of the unit to execute the planned maintenance.
Securing the required funding for planned maintenance has been a challenge for FY2022, FY2023 and FY2024. This results in the late release of funding to sites hence their ability to plan outages is compromised. The uncertainty of funding also affects the amount of maintenance that can be planned. For example, lack of funds requires the prioritisation of safety maintenance while reliability maintenance has to be reduced, which is not ideal.
The compromised planning also impacts the sites’ ability to carry out maintenance in the required time and according to the required schedules, this leads to slips on return dates.
The unpredictability of the current fleet means that unplanned failures take up space on the already constrained system. This then results in the deferment of planned outages. In essence, the current unpredictability of plants compromises the current capacity plan from materialising as intended.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane Pravin Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date: