Eskom sustains strong system performance – EAF reaches highest daily level since September 2017 and unplanned outages recorded at lowest daily level since July 2018

Friday, 24 July 2026: Eskom’s ongoing operational performance continues to deliver tangible benefits for customers, communities and the broader economy. The latest progress achieved through the Generation Recovery Plan was demonstrated on 20 July 2026, when Eskom recorded a daily Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 80.24%, the highest daily performance achieved since 20 September 2017. This milestone reflects the sustained recovery of the generation fleet and increasing reliability across the power system.

The financial year-to-date EAF has improved to 66.22%, representing a 6.97% improvement year-on-year. Compared to the same period three years ago, Eskom’s EAF has improved by 11.2%, returning approximately 5.6GW of generating capacity to the grid.

The sustained improvement in plant performance is also reflected in the declining levels of unplanned outages. On 19 July 2026, unplanned outages reduced to 5 891MW, the lowest level recorded since 2 July 2018, when unplanned outages stood at 5 645MW. Together, these achievements have strengthened system reliability, supported a stable electricity supply, and enabled South Africa to meet increased winter demand while maintaining energy security.

Diesel was not utilised between 17 and 23 July 2026, reflecting improved generation performance and sufficient capacity to meet demand.

For the financial year to date (1 April to 23 July 2026), diesel expenditure remains at R807.41 million, compared to R5.62 billion over the same period last year. The Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT’s) load factor averaged 1.14%, down from 10.28% in the previous year, indicating minimal reliance on diesel-powered generation. This represents an 85.64% reduction in diesel expenditure, demonstrating the benefits of improved fleet performance and reduced dependence on diesel to support the grid.

Additionally, Eskom’s Load Reduction Eradication Programme continues to deliver measurable improvements in the quality of supply to affected communities. Six provinces are now load reduction-free, with approximately 1.196 million customers removed from load reduction schedules to date, representing 70.8% of the 1.69 million customers originally affected. This progress underscores the effectiveness of targeted network interventions and Eskom’s commitment to eliminating load reduction nationwide by 2027.

As a result, the proportion of Eskom customers impacted by load reduction has declined from a peak of 23.5% of Eskom’s 7.2 million customer base to approximately 6.9%. Steady progress continues in the remaining provinces, namely the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Eskom remains on track to eliminate load reduction in a seventh province by October 2026, with the nationwide eradication of load reduction targeted for 2027.

Operational performance remained on an upward trajectory during the week, with the financial year-to-date (1 April to 23 July 2026) EAF increasing to 66.22% from 65.46% in the previous week. The current EAF is 6.97% higher than the 59.25% achieved during the corresponding period last year, reflecting continued improvements in fleet performance and plant reliability.

Between 17 and 23 July 2026, average unplanned outages declined significantly to 7 069MW, down from 11 842MW during the same period last year. This represents a reduction of 4 249MW, or 35.9% year-on-year. This reduction is almost equivalent to the size of the generating capacity of a large power station such as Kusile. This sustained improvement is also reflected in the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which significantly improved to 14.94% from 24.66% in the corresponding period last year, underscoring the continued gains achieved through Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan.

Between 17 and 23 July 2026, planned maintenance remains aligned with Eskom’s reliability and sustainability objectives, with the Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF) averaging 7.19%, lower than 10.74% in the corresponding period last year.

Eskom continues to maintain additional system capacity, with 6 971MW in cold reserve due to excess capacity, providing further assurance of system adequacy.

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 434 consecutive days without loadshedding since 16 May 2025, delivering reliable electricity that powers homes, enables businesses to grow, and supports broader economic development. Year to date (1 April 2026 to 23 July 2026), demand was met 100% of the time.

The highest sustained demand this week reached approximately 28 441MW, and at one point the instantaneous peak was 28 723MW. Today’s evening peak is forecast at 26 815MW, against available capacity of 30 142MW. We are expecting 4 376MW to come back online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 27 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 23 July 2026), UCLF has reduced to 21.31%, which is 7.83% lower than the same period in the previous year.

• For the financial year to date (1 April to 23 July 2026), planned maintenance was at an average of 5 803MW, accounting for 12.28% of total generation capacity, higher than the 11.13% (5 229MW) over the same period in the previous year.

• Year-to-date (1 April to 23 July 2026), OCGT generation remains the same as last week at 105.977GWh, approximately 88.87% 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 1.14%, lower than the 10.28% recorded over the same period last year and well below the target annual load factor of 3%.

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:

To date, 501,415 smart meters have been installed on load reduction feeders—reaching 86.8% of the 577,347 target for 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 565 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)
• 13 feeders in the Eastern and Western Cape (86.6% 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 1 196 657 customers are no longer impacted by load reduction, representing approximately 70.8% of the 1.69 million customers targeted under the programme.

This includes 670 785 customers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga; 268 902 in Gauteng; 21 835 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, 31 July 2026, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.

ENDS