Eskom Grid Surges to 60.6%—Is South Africa Poised for Its Bitcoin Mining Plan?
2025-07-16 12:59:45
Main Idea
Eskom's improved energy availability and exploration of Bitcoin mining and AI as new revenue streams highlight South Africa's shift from energy scarcity to technological opportunities, despite ongoing financial and operational challenges.
Key Points
1. Eskom's Energy Availability Factor (EAF) reached 60.6% in June 2025, marking the first time it surpassed 60% this year.
2. Eskom is exploring Bitcoin mining and AI as part of its future energy strategy, inspired by models like Texas-based Riot Platforms.
3. Despite improvements, Eskom faces long-term challenges, including high debt (R403 billion), bloated workforce, and rising operational costs.
4. Unplanned outages briefly surged above 15,000 MW in June 2025, forcing increased use of expensive diesel generators.
5. Electricity production remains below pre-pandemic levels, with monthly output at 16,800 GWh compared to 19,000 GWh in 2019.
Description
South Africa’s state-run power utility, Eskom, has posted a notable uptick in performance, marking a milestone in a long-struggling electricity supply system. According to a June 2025 electricity update by Minerals Council South Africa (MCSA), the utility’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) hit an average of 60.6% for the month, the first time this year that Eskom surpassed the 60% mark. More critically, it comes just as Eskom begins to explore new frontiers, among them, Bitcoin mining. Source: E...
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