- Energy availability continues to rise, supporting grid stability and long term supply security. Diesel usage and costs fall sharply as reliance on emergency generation declines.
- Progress accelerates on ending load reduction and restoring customer confidence.
Eskom reports that the Energy Availability Factor reached 65.03 percent for the financial year to date from 1 April 2025 to 5 February 2026. This improvement reflects ongoing efforts to restore plant reliability and strengthen system resilience.
According to Eskom, the continued recovery in fleet performance reinforces energy security and stability of the national electricity supply. Between 30 January and 5 February 2026, average unplanned outages declined to 9 177 megawatts, down from 13 440 megawatts recorded during the same period last year. This represents an improvement of 4 263 megawatts.
Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor improved to 19.07 percent, compared to 27.98 percent a year earlier. Planned maintenance averaged 10.03 percent, lower than the 13.72 percent recorded in the previous financial year. Eskom attributed the reduction in maintenance requirements to an intensive maintenance programme implemented over the past three years, aimed at restoring fleet reliability.
The utility said the benefits of this approach are evident in the continued decline in unplanned outages and reduced reliance on diesel powered generation. No diesel was used during the past week, resulting in zero expenditure. Total diesel spending is now 4.81 billion rand lower than at the same point last year, with year to date expenditure remaining below budget.
Eskom confirmed that 5 854 megawatts of capacity is currently held in cold reserve due to excess generation capacity. South Africa has experienced 266 consecutive days without an interrupted electricity supply, with only 26 hours of load shedding recorded in April and May 2025 during the current financial year.
Looking ahead, Eskom plans to bring 3 810 megawatts of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 9 February 2026. Peak demand is forecast at 23 596 megawatts, with available capacity of 26 843 megawatts, providing a healthy reserve margin.
The Summer Outlook published in September 2025 projects no load shedding through to March 2026, based on sustained improvements in plant performance driven by the Generation Recovery Plan.
Despite the stable supply outlook, Eskom warned that illegal connections and meter tampering continue to damage infrastructure and pose safety risks. Load reduction remains in place as a temporary measure in high risk areas. To address this, Eskom is implementing a phased programme to eliminate load reduction by 2027, targeting 971 feeders and benefiting approximately 1.69 million customers.
As part of this programme, 299 236 smart meters have been installed nationally, with just over a third deployed on load reduction feeders. Most installations have been concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu Natal, where network risks are highest. Eskom aims to install more than 577 000 smart meters on load reduction feeders by March 2026.
Progress has also been made in removing feeders from load reduction, with 116 feeders restored to normal supply to date. This has enabled more than 140 000 customers to benefit from improved electricity access. However, Eskom noted that resistance to meter installations, including safety incidents and work stoppages, has delayed approximately 122 000 planned conversions.
Eskom said it remains committed to stabilising the electricity network, reducing losses and supporting economic activity through a more reliable and efficient power system.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
