Loadshedding remains suspended as the power system is stable. Ongoing planned maintenance continues at high levels, with unplanned outages showing a year-on-year reduction of approximately 2.7%.

Friday, 18 April 2025: Loadshedding remains suspended, and the power system remains stable with sufficient capacity to meet the long weekend’s demand. Emergency reserves are adequate and will continue to be utilised strategically to meet peak demand, where necessary.

Ongoing planned maintenance continues at 15.41% of generation capacity, marking a 3.8% increase compared to the same period last year. The high level of planned maintenance aims to enhance fleet reliability for the anticipated increased peak winter demand while ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements. Currently, 8 974MW of the generation capacity is under planned maintenance.

The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), or unplanned outages, for the financial year-to-date (1 to 17 April 2025), stands at 27.48%, improving by ~2.7% from 30.15% achieved in the same period last year. 

The OCGT load factor declined to 9.78% during the past week (11 to 17 April 2025), marking a significant decrease from 29.95% recorded in the week of 4 to 11 April 2025. However, it remains above the 7.9% observed during the same period last year. This reduction highlights a growing shift away from reliance on diesel.

Eskom is scheduled to announce its winter outlook later in April 2025.

A total of 3 948MW will be returned to service before the evening peak on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, to further stabilise the grid.

Key Performance Highlights:

• From 14 to 17 April 2025, average unplanned outages reduced to 12 862MW, showing a significant improvement of 1 140MW compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date (1 April 2025 until 17 April 2025) average unplanned outages stand at 13 075MW.

• As of today, unplanned outages have marginally decreased by 202MW, currently at 11 362MW compared to 11 564MW last week. The available generation capacity stands at 27 299MW, while tonight’s peak demand is forecasted at 23 593MW

• From 1 to 17 April 2025, the year-to-date EAF stands at 56.63%, about the same compared to the same period last year (57.67%), mainly due to higher planned maintenance.

• Year-to-date (1 to 17 April 2025), Eskom spent approximately R1.67 billion on fuel for the Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) fleet, generating 284.40GWh. This is higher than the 109.41GWh generated during the same period last year. This is expected to decrease as maintenance activities begin to slow down.

• From 1 to 17 April 2025, the OCGT load factor stands at 20.42%, representing a 7.45% decrease from the previous week. However, it remains significantly higher than the 7.85% recorded during the same period last year.

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

While loadshedding remains suspended and electricity demand continues to rise, Eskom urges the public to help prevent transformer overloads and related equipment failures, which can result in explosions and prolonged outages. This can be achieved by avoiding illegal connections, purchasing electricity only from Eskom-accredited vendors and ensuring that customers take responsibility for regularising their electricity usage.

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.

With the Winter Period setting in, Eskom requests the public to continue to use electricity efficiently.

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

ENDS