Eskom hits 67.96% energy availability as South Africa marks 490 days without load-shedding

Eskom has recorded an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 67.96% since the start of the financial year, the highest financial year-to-date level achieved by the power utility in six years.

The improvement comes as South Africa reaches 490 consecutive days without load-shedding, with the last planned power outages recorded on May 16, 2025, according to Eskom.

The figures were reported by the South African Government News Agency (SAnews) on September 20, following Eskom’s latest update on the performance of its generation fleet.

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Eskom said its weekly EAF remained strong at 72.74% between September 11 and 17, reinforcing what it described as a positive year-to-date performance trend.

Compared with three years ago, the utility said its EAF has improved by 12.8%, with about 6 202MW of generation capacity returned to the grid.

According to Eskom, the improvement reflects continued efforts to strengthen the reliability of the generation fleet and improve energy security.

The utility also reported a significant reduction in diesel expenditure.

“Improved performance reduced diesel expenditure by R4.80b [80.95%] year-on-year,” Eskom said.

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It added that particulate matter emissions had improved to 0.32kg/ MWhSO, which it said was better than its annual target.

Eskom attributed the improved performance to the impact of structural interventions and ongoing operational improvements across its generation fleet.

490 days without load-shedding

South Africa has now recorded 490 consecutive days without load-shedding since May 16, 2025.

Eskom attributed the milestone to improved fleet performance, lower unplanned outages, increased generation capacity and reduced reliance on emergency generation resources.

The utility said the continued improvement was helping restore reliability, strengthen energy security and support economic growth and development.

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Eskom’s latest figures show that its financial year-to-date EAF, covering April 1 to September 17, has improved by 5.79% compared with the same period last year, when it stood at 62.17%.

The utility said unplanned outages had also declined, with its year-to-date Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor falling to 19.23%.

Load reduction also declining

Eskom said it remains on track to eliminate load reduction for all its customers by March 2027.

Seven provinces are already free from load reduction, while about 1.4 million customers have been restored to normal supply conditions.

The number of customers affected by load reduction has fallen from 1.69 million to 247 617, representing about 3.4% of Eskom’s customer base.

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The remaining affected customers are in Gauteng and KZN.

Eskom said more than 60% of previously affected customers in the two provinces have already been restored to normal supply conditions, with work continuing in the remaining areas.

The utility’s Load Reduction Eradication Programme has so far restored an estimated 1 446 771 customers, representing approximately 86% of the 1.69 million customers targeted under the programme.

Eskom said the restored customers include 493 243 in Gauteng and 202 703 in KZN and the Free State.

Diesel use falls sharply

Eskom’s improved generation performance has also reduced its reliance on diesel-powered emergency generation.

For the financial year to date, diesel expenditure has fallen by R4.80b, or 80.95%, compared with the same period last year.

Eskom said expenditure declined from R5.93b to R1.13b between April 1 and September 17.

The utility’s Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) load factor also fell from 7.25% to 1.06%, reflecting reduced reliance on diesel-fired generation to meet demand.

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Eskom said the financial year-to-date OCGT generation of 146.81GWh was about 85.33% lower than during the corresponding period last year.

The utility said the continued low use of OCGTs reflects improved fleet performance and increased generation capacity available to the grid.

More capacity available

Eskom said it currently has 8 716MW in cold reserve due to excess capacity, providing additional assurance of system adequacy.

For the evening peak on September 21, demand was forecast at 22 081MW, against available capacity of 27 500MW, with a further 4 043MW expected to return to service ahead of the evening peak.

Eskom said it would continue to provide updates on the performance of the electricity system, with its next scheduled update due on September 25.