An Eskom grid failure is "almost impossible", say experts

[Johnatan56]

There is a 2.2MW margin maintained by Eskom despite the level of demand/capacity. This exists to cater for a sudden and catastrophic loss of multiple units simultaneously.

If we do indeed have a collapse of the grid it will likely be due to an operating error during switching.

News24 pointed out that the utility had previously acknowledged an “acceptable” margin should be 15% of the nominal capacity.

However, according to the report, Eskom’s operating reserve margin was supposedly negative for most of February and into the first half of March 2023.

Economists warn risk of total grid collapse is higher — Eskom denies it

Eskom maintains there is nothing sinister about the halt in the publication of peak evening demand statistics or its handling of operating reserve margins in the past few weeks.

mybroadband.co.za

Supposed to be around 6.8GW, reality is more like 2GW.

 

[Adeptus Mechanicus]

Supposed to be around 6.8GW, reality is more like 2GW.

Yet they've operated with this exact margin since 2019 and it hasn't diminished despite nominal capacity dropping.

If they were eating into this margin there would be real reason for concern.