- Eskom reports that the Energy Availability Factor has risen to 65.37%, up 10.80% over two years.
- Independent data shows 91,934 outage events, with households facing up to 132 hours without power monthly in South Africa.
South Africa’s state-owned utility Eskom has reported continued improvements in operational performance, pointing to a more stable power system and reduced reliance on costly emergency generation. The utility stated that its Energy Availability Factor reached 65.37% for the financial year to date, reflecting a 10.80% increase compared to the same period two years earlier.
The utility noted that the national grid has demonstrated improved resilience, with 315 consecutive days without supply interruptions. During the current financial year, only 26 hours of loadshedding were recorded in April and May 2025, indicating a marked improvement in system reliability. Read more
However, new data from the Wetility 2025 Energy Resilience Report presents a contrasting view from the perspective of end users. Based on real time data collected from solar and battery systems across its network, the report reveals that grid instability remains a significant challenge for many South African households.
According to the report, a total of 91,934 outage events were recorded in 2025. Households experienced between 6 and 9 outages per month, translating into 73 to 132 hours without power in the absence of backup systems. Notably, 58% of outages lasted longer than 8 hours, highlighting the severity and duration of supply disruptions.
The findings are based on actual usage data rather than official reports, offering a bottom-up view of grid performance as experienced by consumers. This suggests that while system level indicators show improvement, the lived reality for many users remains characterised by persistent interruptions.
The report reinforces the growing importance of distributed energy solutions, particularly solar and battery storage, in mitigating energy insecurity. As grid reliability continues to improve gradually, backup power systems remain critical for households and businesses seeking to ensure continuity of supply in an evolving energy landscape.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
