KEY POINTS
• Eskom has recorded 406 consecutive days without load shedding, despite increased electricity demand during winter.
• Improved power generation, fewer unplanned outages, and a higher Energy Availability Factor have strengthened the stability of South Africa’s electricity grid.
• Diesel expenditure has fallen by more than 84 percent, while Eskom maintains its forecast of no load shedding throughout the 2026 winter period.
South Africa’s state-owned power utility, Eskom, has achieved a major milestone by recording 406 consecutive days without implementing load shedding, marking one of the country’s longest periods of uninterrupted electricity supply in recent years.
The utility announced that the achievement comes despite increased electricity demand caused by the country’s winter season and credited the success to the continued implementation of its Generation Recovery Plan.
According to Eskom, improvements in power generation, reduced unplanned breakdowns, and better operational performance have enabled the company to consistently meet electricity demand while maintaining adequate reserve capacity to manage changing conditions on the national grid.
The utility also said ongoing interventions within its electricity distribution network are supporting its Load Reduction Elimination Programme, which is aimed at restoring reliable electricity supply to customers in previously affected communities and strengthening network stability in high-risk areas.
A key indicator of Eskom’s improved performance is the rise in its Energy Availability Factor (EAF), which increased to 63.81 percent, up from 58.31 percent during the same period last year.
The company attributed the improvement to sustained progress under its turnaround strategy, including fewer unplanned outages and more reliable performance across its power generation fleet.
Eskom reported that average unplanned outages between June 19 and June 25, 2026, stood at 11,259 megawatts, compared to 14,801 megawatts during the same period in 2025.
The reduction of 3,543 megawatts is roughly equivalent to the generating capacity of the Lethabo Power Station, highlighting the significant improvement in system reliability.
The utility also noted that its Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), a measure of generation losses caused by unexpected breakdowns, improved to 23.63 percent from 30.86 percent recorded during the corresponding period last year.
In addition, Eskom said it currently has about 1,550 megawatts of generation capacity in cold reserve because of excess available capacity, providing additional assurance that the electricity system remains stable.
The company also reported a substantial reduction in diesel consumption used to power emergency generation plants.
For the current financial year, diesel expenditure stands at R746.41 million, compared with R4.72 billion during the same period last year.
This represents an 84.19 percent year-on-year reduction in diesel costs, reflecting improved operational efficiency and significantly lower dependence on diesel-fired power generation.
Eskom stated that the cost savings demonstrate the effectiveness of its Generation Recovery Plan, which has contributed to greater efficiency, stronger grid performance, and more sustainable electricity supply.
Looking ahead, the utility maintained that its Winter Outlook, released on April 22, 2026, continues to project that South Africa will not experience load shedding between April 1 and August 31, 2026, provided current operational improvements are sustained.
