Eskom maintains stronger system performance, with EAF at 65.46%, up 6.52% year-on-year and load reduction lowered and impacting 7% of customers, with the sixth province declared load reduction free, benefiting more than 1 million customers

Friday, 17 July 2026: During elevated winter demand, the return of over 5GW of generating capacity over the past 3 years, equivalent to a 10.5% improvement in EAF, is playing a key role in Eskom’s continued improvement in operational performance and delivering on the commitments made to South Africans to maintain energy security while strengthening the reliability, resilience and long-term sustainability of the national power system. 

In parallel, Eskom continues to make significant progress in its Load Reduction Eradication Programme, with Limpopo this week becoming the sixth province to be declared load reduction-free.

Through targeted interventions and strong community partnerships, Eskom has eliminated overloading on 564 of the 971 identified networks, enabling approximately 1.19 million customers, representing 70% of the 1.69 million customers originally affected by load reduction, to be removed from load reduction schedules.

At its peak, load reduction affected approximately 23.5% of Eskom’s 7.2 million customer base. This has now been reduced to approximately 7%, with load reduction eliminated in six provinces. Work continues in the remaining provinces, namely the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with Eskom on track to eliminate load reduction in a seventh province by October 2026 and achieve nationwide eradication by 2027.

The benefits of the Generation Recovery Plan are becoming increasingly evident. Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) continues its upward trajectory, currently at 65.46% for the financial year-to-date (1 April to 16 July 2026), up from 64.82% in the previous week and significantly higher than 58.94% recorded over the same period last year, an improvement of 6.52% year-on-year.

Compared to the corresponding period three years ago, the EAF has seen a 10.5% improvement, returning (5.3GW) of generating capacity, driven by a continued reduction in unplanned outages and more consistent, reliable performance across the generation fleet.

Between 10 and 16 July 2026, average unplanned outages declined significantly to 7 593MW, down from 13 439MW during the same period last year. This represents a reduction of 5 846MW, or 43.5% year-on-year. This reduction is more than the generating capacity of a large power station such asMedupi and Camden power station combined. This sustained improvement is also reflected in the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which significantly improved to 16.03% from 28.34% in the corresponding period last year, underscoring the continued gains achieved through Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan.

Between 10 and 16 July 2026, planned maintenance remains aligned with Eskom’s reliability and sustainability objectives, with the Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF) averaging 9.27%, lower than 9.36% in the corresponding period last year.

Eskom continues to maintain additional system capacity, with 6 888MW in cold reserve due to excess capacity, providing further assurance of system adequacy.

Diesel was deployed selectively during periods of peak demand and to maintain required reserves in accordance with the South African Grid Code. For the financial year to date (1 April to 16 July 2026), diesel expenditure amounted to R807.41 million, with an Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT)  load factor of 1.22%, compared to R5.55 billion and 10.81% load factor during the same period last year. An OCGT load factor of 1.22% means Eskom’s diesel-powered generators were utilised for just over 1% of the period. This also represents 85.45% reduction in diesel expenditure, reflecting stronger generation performance and a substantially lower reliance on diesel-fired generation.

This sustained reduction highlights both cost savings and the operational improvements achieved through Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan, contributing to greater efficiency in system operations.

South Africa has recorded 427 consecutive days without loadshedding since 16 May 2025, delivering reliable electricity that powers homes, enables businesses to grow, and supports broader economic development. During the previous financial year (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026), supply interruptions were limited to just 26 hours across four days in April and May 2025.

Demand continues to be met, with the highest sustained demand this week reaching approximately 28 857MW, and at one point the instantaneous peak was 29 097MW. Today’s evening peak is forecast at 27 477MW, against available capacity of 29 898MW. We are expecting 4 353MW to come back online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 20 July 2026.

Eskom’s Winter Outlook, published on 22 April 2026 for the period 1 April to 31 August 2026, continues to project no loadshedding.

Key Performance Highlights

• For the financial year to date (1 April to 16 July 2026), UCLF has reduced to 21.73%, which is 7.70% lower than the same period in the previous year.

• For the financial year to date (1 April to 16 July 2026), planned maintenance was at an average of 5 962MW, accounting for 12.61% of total generation capacity, higher than the 11.15% (5 238MW) over the same period in the previous year.

• Year-to-date (1 April to 16 July 2026), OCGT generation was 105.977GWh, approximately 88.72% lower than the corresponding period last year. The continued low utilisation of OCGTs reflects improved fleet performance and reduced reliance on diesel-fired generation to meet electricity demand.

• The financial year‑to‑date OCGT load factor stands at 1.22%, lower than the 10.81% recorded over the same period last year and well below the target annual load factor of 3%. This targeted level is approximately half of the Financial Year 2026 target (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027), reflecting increased confidence in improved fleet performance and reduced reliance on diesel‑fired generation.

Progress in ending load reduction

About 1 190 902 customers and six provinces across South Africa are no longer impacted, representing about 70% of targeted households.

Although the power system remains stable and generation capacity continues to exceed demand, illegal connections and meter tampering persist in certain localised areas, driving infrastructure damage and posing serious safety risks. Eskom continues to implement load reduction as a temporary, targeted measure in high-risk areas to protect both communities and the electricity network.

To address these challenges sustainably, Eskom has launched a phased programme to eliminate load reduction by 2027. The programme targets 971 feeders and will benefit approximately 1.69 million customers across all provinces, out of Eskom’s total customer base of 7.2 million. Key interventions include the rollout of smart meters, the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), and the expansion of Free Basic Electricity (FBE) support.

These measures will be accompanied by targeted customer education initiatives.

Progress on Key Interventions

Smart Meter Rollout:

Eskom has deployed 1 883 803 smart meters nationwide. Of these, 494 723 have been installed on load reduction feeders, representing approximately 26% of installations in high-priority areas.

Approximately 93% of these installations are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal, where network pressure is highest. The rollout remains focused on high-loss areas impacted by illegal connections, infrastructure overloading and electricity theft.

Despite ongoing stakeholder engagement, including work with ward councillors, public meetings and media platforms, resistance in some areas continues to affect progress. These include safety incidents, intimidation and work stoppages, resulting in delays, with over 122 000 planned installations impacted to date.

Feeders removed from Load Reduction:

Six of South Africa’s nine provinces have been completely removed from load reduction.

A total of 564 feeders have been removed from load reduction, representing approximately 58% of the 971 target.

• 163 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga (exceeding the target of 150), with both provinces achieving full elimination
• 244 feeders in Gauteng (40% of the target of 604)
• 12 feeders in the Eastern and Western Cape (80% of the target of 15), with the Western Cape achieving full elimination
• 130 feeders in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (67.3% of the target of 193), with the Free State achieving full elimination
• 15 feeders in the North West and Northern Cape (exceeding the target of 9), with both provinces achieving full elimination

Customers Benefiting:

An estimated 1 190 902 customers are no longer impacted by load reduction, representing approximately 70% of the 1.69 million customers targeted under the programme.

This includes 670 785 customers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga; 268 902 in Gauteng; 16 080 in the Eastern and Western Cape; 184 907 in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State; and 50 228 in the North West and Northern Cape.

Free Basic Electricity (FBE):

A total of 556 409 customers are registered for Free Basic Electricity, reflecting an approximately 15% increase from the baseline of 485 000. This represents approximately 28% of the 2.1 million eligible customers.

Eskom continues to strengthen the network through targeted interventions, technology deployment and community engagement.

Eskom is calling on all affected communities to partner with its teams to help accelerate the elimination of load reduction, in line with planned timelines or sooner where possible.

Customers are encouraged to report illegal connections and infrastructure damage to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.

Eskom data sources

The Eskom data portal provides a 24/7 365 snapshot of system performance. [Eskom Data Portal].

Since May 2024, Eskom has released a detailed power system update every Friday evening, providing a consolidated view of key areas of its performance through the Media Desk and across its social media platforms. This is a deliberate effort to improve transparency.

Eskom will provide its next update on Friday, 24 July 2026, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.

ENDS