- Eskom reports sharp diesel savings as winter demand outlook stabilises.
- Diesel spend drops 84.02% year on year to R374.93 million.
- Energy Availability Factor improves to 60.14% despite higher planned maintenance.
- Utility projects no loadshedding for winter period through August 2026.
South Africa’s state owned utility Eskom has reported improved system stability and significantly reduced diesel reliance as the country enters the high demand winter season, traditionally associated with increased grid pressure.
The utility said performance gains delivered through its Generation Recovery Plan have strengthened operational resilience, improved cost efficiency, and supported a favourable Winter Outlook, which projects no loadshedding between April and August 2026.
For the financial year to date from 1 to 30 April 2026, Eskom recorded diesel expenditure of R374.93 million, compared to R2.347 billion in the same period last year. This represents a year on year reduction of 84.02%, highlighting both cost savings and improved generation performance.
Despite the overall decline in diesel use, Eskom confirmed that diesel powered generation was strategically deployed during the past week to meet higher than expected peak demand and maintain reserve margins in line with grid requirements.
Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) dropped to 60.14% in April. In February 2026, Eskom reported an EAF of 65.24% and in March 2026 – 65.4%.
Planned maintenance averaged 7 545MW in April, reflecting a deliberate strategy to improve long term plant reliability.
Unplanned outages also declined. Between 24 and 30 April 2026, average unplanned outages were 12 795MW, down from 14 649MW in the same period last year, easing pressure on the national grid.
The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor improved to 26.65%, a reduction of 4.21% compared to 30.86% a year earlier, contributing to increased available capacity. At the same time, the Planned Capability Loss Factor rose to 13.87% from 12.60%, consistent with Eskom’s maintenance programme aimed at environmental compliance and sustained performance.
Eskom added that 1 545MW of capacity is currently held in cold reserve due to excess supply.
Looking ahead, the utility plans to return 3 063MW of generation capacity to the grid ahead of the evening peak on 4 May 2026. Peak demand is forecast at 24 274MW, against available capacity of 28 337MW, indicating a comfortable reserve margin.
Eskom’s Winter Outlook, published on 22 April 2026, attributes the improved supply outlook to sustained gains in generation performance and concludes that loadshedding is not expected during the winter period
Link to Eskom’s real time performance data portal HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
