Eskom maintains power system stability with reduced unplanned outages – additional 3 330MW capacity expected to return by Monday

Friday, 18 July 2025: The power system continues to operate reliably, showing ongoing resilience in meeting winter electricity demand. This sustained performance is largely due to ongoing structural improvements in the generation fleet. Since 15 May 2025, there has been no loadshedding, with only 26 hours recorded between 1 April and 17 July 2025.

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.

From 1 April to 17 July 2025, diesel consumption is 48.4% lower compared to the same period in FY24 and remains within the budget allocated for 1 April to 31 July 2025, helping maintain operational efficiency when needed.

As of today, unplanned outages have reduced to 10 846MW, while available generation capacity is 31 818MW.

Tonight’s electricity demand is expected to reach 28 215MW. The current capacity is sufficient to meet both today’s demand and anticipated requirements over the weekend.

During the week of 11 to 17 July 2025, planned maintenance averaged 4 467MW. Over the same period, the EAF 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 Monday, 21 July 2025, and throughout the coming week.

Between 1 April and 17 July 2025, the Unplanned Capability Loss Factor (UCLF), which indicates the percentage of generation capacity lost due to unexpected outages, stood at 29.53%. This is about 2.6% higher than the 26.95% recorded during the same period last year. As of today, the UCLF is at 23.35%, reflecting improved performance.

The open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) load factor decreased this week, reaching 8.60%, down from the 11.92% recorded during the previous week (4 to 10 July 2025). This indicates less reliance on OCGTs.

The Winter Outlook, published on 5 May 2025, covering the period ending 31 August 2025, remains valid. It indicates that loadshedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000MW. If outages rise to 15 000MW, loadshedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days and restricted to Stage 2.

Key Performance Highlights:

• For the week of 11 to 17 July 2025, unplanned outages averaged 13 051MW—a decrease from the previous week, but 559MW higher than the same period last year and 51MW above the base case estimate of 13 000MW.

• For the financial year-to-date, planned maintenance has averaged at 5 229MW, representing 11.13% of total generation capacity. This reflects a decrease from the previous week, but a 0.8% increase compared to the same period last year.

• The year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) stands at 59.06%, excluding the 720 MW contribution from Kusile Unit 6, which has been supplying electricity to the national grid since 23 March 2025, although not yet in commercial operation. This figure remains below the 61.97% recorded during the same period last year, mainly due to a 2.9% increase in unplanned maintenance compared to the previous year.

• Between 1 April and 17 July 2025, which falls within the winter period, Eskom spent R5.897 billion on fuel for its OCGT plants, generating 941.75 GWh of electricity. This is less than the R11.432 billion spent to produce 1 897.81GWh in FY24, when loadshedding occurred daily, compared to just 26 hours so far in FY26. However, this year’s output is still higher than the 491.29GWh generated during the same timeframe last year.

• The year-to-date load factor for OCGTs has marginally decreased to 10.64%, reflecting a 0.14% decrease compared to the previous week. This figure remains higher than the 5.55% recorded during the same period last year.

Protect transformers this winter – avoid illegal connections and prevent power failures

With loadshedding suspended and electricity demand rising during the winter period, Eskom urges all customers to act responsibly and help safeguard the power system. 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. 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.

Any illegal activity impacting Eskom’s infrastructure should be reported to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp on 081 333 3323.

Eskom encourages all South Africans to use electricity efficiently throughout the winter season. 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: https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/residential-calculator/

Eskom will provide an update on Friday, 25 July 2025, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.

ENDS