As the power system operates reliably with reduced unplanned outages, Eskom says an additional 3 330 megawatts (MW) of capacity is expected to return today.

SA News reports that, according to Eskom, the power system is showing ongoing resilience in meeting winter electricity demand.

“This sustained performance is largely due to ongoing structural improvements in the generation fleet. Since May 15, there has been no load-shedding, with only 26 hours recorded between April 1 and July 17.

“With 44 days of Eskom’s winter outlook period still remaining, the system remains well-positioned to maintain stability and meet demand effectively.

“When occasional system constraints arise, they are effectively managed through the strategic deployment of emergency reserves during morning and evening peak periods,” Eskom said on Friday.

Lower diesel usage and outages

From April 1 and July 17, diesel consumption was 48.4% lower compared to the same period in 2024 and remains within the budget allocated for April 1 to July 31, helping maintain operational efficiency when needed.

As of Friday, unplanned outages reduced to 10 846MW, while available generation capacity was at 31 818MW.

“During the week of July 11 to 17, planned maintenance averaged 4 467MW. Over the same period, the Energy Availability Factor ranged between 60% and 65%, with the month-to-date average further increasing to 62.31%.

“To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom is planning to return a total of 3 330MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on July 21, and throughout the coming week,” the power utility said.

Encouraging responsible electricity use

SA News reports that Eskom has encouraged all South Africans to use electricity efficiently throughout the rest of winter and to avoid illegal connections as well as meter bypassing.

“With load-shedding suspended and electricity demand rising during the winter period, Eskom has urged all customers to act responsibly and help safeguard the power system,” the utility said.

Illegal connections and meter bypassing not only constitute theft but also place immense strain on the network, often leading to transformer overloads, equipment damage, and in severe cases, explosions and extended outages.

“To protect critical infrastructure, Eskom is compelled to implement load reduction by switching off power during peak hours in high-risk, isolated areas to prevent potential damage.

“To help maintain a stable and uninterrupted electricity supply, customers are strongly urged to avoid bypassing meters and refrain from illegal connections,” Eskom said.

Electricity should be purchased only through Eskom-accredited vendors, and users are encouraged to regularise their electricity usage.

“These steps are essential to ensuring safe, reliable, and fair access to electricity for all. Eligible households are encouraged to register for free basic electricity with their local municipalities,” Eskom said.

The public has been urged to report any illegal activity impacting Eskom’s infrastructure by contacting the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp on 081 333 3323.

To help manage household electricity consumption, Eskom customers are encouraged to use the Eskom Residential Calculator, a convenient tool for tracking and optimising energy usage: Eskom Residential Calculator

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