According to the information received from Eskom
(a)
Eskom did not “take the foot off the pedal in terms of maintaining its current fleet” in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Eskom was and remains committed to executing all the required maintenance within the constraints at the time.
The well-documented shortage of capacity and funding meant that Eskom was forced to prioritise the maintenance that was executed and correctly focused on safety and statutory requirements, above performance enhancement and improvement work.
(b)
The current maintenance plans are still heavily impacted by the capacity and financial constraints and Eskom remains committed to executing the maximum possible maintenance as well as improving the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the maintenance within the many constraints which Eskom is facing.
(c)
We are already seeing the impact of many years of the inability to execute all the required maintenance, coupled with very high utilisation of an ageing fleet, along with many other factors, in the current performance of the coal fleet.
The recovery of the fleet requires three levers; additional capacity nationally, an improved EAF, which requires increased maintenance, and the addressing of various external levers, including improved liquidity, not least by delinquent municipalities paying their overdue accounts
Currently, an enhanced Generation Recovery Plan is being implemented under the guidance of the board. This plan covers three main areas of intervention:
In addition, the excellent efforts for the law enforcement agencies, under the aegis of the National Electricity Crisis Committee, to arrest and charge those involved in corruption and sabotage, is beginning to make an impact.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date: