Stable power system performance reinforced by operational and cost efficiencies; Winter Outlook projecting no loadshedding

Friday, 24 April 2026: Despite continued weather‑related increases in demand and elevated planned maintenance at power stations, Eskom has sustained a stable and reliable power system. Improved fleet performance and significantly lower diesel usage reflect sustained progress under the Generation Recovery Plan and signal growing operational resilience and cost efficiency across the system. For the financial year to date (1 to 23 April 2026), the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) increased by 4.48% compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year, while diesel expenditure has declined by 87.49% year on year.

For the financial year to date (1 to 23 April 2026), Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) stands at 60.47%, improving from 55.99% over the same period last year, despite increased planned maintenance averaging 7 847MW since the start of the current financial year. This performance reflects sustained progress under Eskom’s turnaround strategy and represents a 2.45% improvement compared to the corresponding period two years ago.

Between 17 and 23 April 2026, average unplanned outages declined to 12 173MW, a reduction of 1 109MW compared to the 13 282MW recorded over the same period last year, contributing to a less constrained power grid.

Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), reflecting unplanned outages, was at 25.75%, representing a reduction of 2.11% compared to the 27.86% recorded during the same period last year which further contributes towards available capacity.

During the same period, Eskom’s PCLF, which reflects planned maintenance, averaged 16.83%, higher than the 15.78% in the previous financial year, and is aligned with Eskom’s efforts to ensure environmental compliance, improve reliability, and support long‑term sustainability.

For the current financial year to date (1 to 23 April 2026), diesel expenditure is at R250.11 million, significantly lower than the R1.999 billion incurred in the same period last year, reflecting an 87.49% reduction year-on-year. This continued reduction demonstrates both the cost savings and the operational improvements achieved through Eskom’s ongoing turnaround efforts. Overall, this positive trend highlights the growing stability and efficiency of the power system.

The use of diesel in the past week was to meet the reserve requirements, as specified in the South African grid code.

Since 16 May 2025, South Africa has recorded 343 consecutive days without interruptions to electricity supply, reflecting system availability of approximately 98.9%.

During the previous financial year, supply interruptions were limited to a total of 26 hours over four days in April and May 2025, underscoring the improved strength and reliability of the power system.

To further ensure a stable electricity supply, Eskom will bring 3 075MW of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 27 April 2026. Today’s evening peak demand is forecast at 24 948MW, with 26 524MW of available capacity.

Eskom published the Winter Outlook on 22 April 2026, covering the period 1 April to 31 August 2026, which projects no loadshedding due to sustained improvements in plant performance from the Generation Recovery Plan

Key Performance Highlights

  • For the financial year-to-date (1 to 23 April 2026), the UCLF decreased to 22.82%, well below last year’s 27.97%.
  • For the financial year to date (1 to 23 April 2026), planned maintenance was at an average of 7 847MW, accounting for 16.6% of total generation capacity, higher than the 15.52% (7 258MW) over the same period in the previous year.
  • For the current financial year-to-date (1 to 23 April 2026), Eskom generated 30.038GWh from OCGT plants at a diesel cost of R250.11 million. This is significantly lower than the 335.34GWh generated during the same period last year (1 to 23 April 2025), which resulted in costs of R1.999 billion.
  • The financial year‑to‑date OCGT load factor stands at 1.61%, significantly lower than the 17.95% recorded over the same period last year and well below the target annual load factor of 3% across Eskom’s OCGT fleet. This level is approximately half of the FY2026 target, reflecting increased confidence in improved fleet performance and reduced reliance on diesel‑fired generation.

Progress in Ending Load Reduction: 352 968 customers no longer affected during peak periods, with load reduction eliminated in the Northern Cape and Western Cape and smart meter rollout advancing

Although the power system remains stable and generation capacity continues to exceed demand, illegal connections and meter tampering persist, causing infrastructure damage and posing serious safety risks. In response, Eskom continues to implement load reduction as a temporary 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, and the expansion of Free Basic Electricity support. These measures will be accompanied by targeted customer education initiatives.

Progress on key interventions

  • Smart Meter Rollout:

Since inception, a total of 1 626 026 smart meters has been deployed nationwide, with approximately 652 744 installations completed since 1 April 2025 as part of Eskom’s ongoing infrastructure upgrade programme. Of these, 250 181 units have been deployed on load‑reduction feeders, representing a 42% allocation to high‑priority areas. This targeted deployment is critical to easing grid pressure while empowering customers with real‑time consumption data and greater control over their energy usage.

Of the 250 181 smart meters installed on load reduction feeders, approximately 91% are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu‑Natal, where network risk is highest.

The rollout is deliberately focused on high-loss areas affected by illegal connections, meter bypassing, overloaded infrastructure and widespread electricity theft. Eskom has undertaken extensive community and stakeholder engagement through ward councillors, public meetings, radio platforms and social media to support the implementation of the programme.

Despite these efforts, installation teams continue to face persistent resistance, including intimidation, violent incidents and repeated work stoppages. These disruptions have led to deployment delays, the redeployment of teams, and heightened safety risks for Eskom employees and contractors.

As a result, approximately 122 000 planned meter conversions have been delayed to-date, undermining the stability and predictability of the rollout programme.

  • Feeders Removed from Load Reduction:

The total number of feeders removed from load reduction is 211. This includes:

  • 37 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga (100% of the target of 37),
    • 51 in Gauteng (40% of the target of 126),
    • 10 in the Eastern and Western Cape (67% of the target of 15), with the Western Cape achieving 100% of its target.
    • 101 in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (104%, which is 3% above the target of 94),
    • 12 in the North West and Northern Cape (133% of the target of 9).

Nationally, 211 feeders have been removed from load reduction, representing approximately 78% of the feeders identified for removal in the first phase of implementation.

Eskom is intensifying its efforts through a phased programme designed to eliminate load reduction across South Africa. The initiative aims to completely remove load reduction in seven provinces by October 2026. For Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, which face higher network risks and challenges, the target for eliminating load reduction is set for 2027.

  • Customers benefiting from the elimination of the load reduction programme:

With the feeders removed from load reduction to date, an estimated 352 968 customers are now benefiting, comprising 111 519 in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 69 160 in Gauteng, 12 422 in the Eastern and Western Cape, 121 910 in KwaZulu-Natal and Free State and 37 957 in the North West and Northern Cape. The remaining customers still due for load reduction removal by financial year‑end are 122 817 in both Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 76 322 in Gauteng, 13 080 in both the Eastern and Western Cape, 5 936 in the KwaZulu-Natal and Free State, and 6 224 in the Northern Cape and North West provinces.  

  • Free Basic Electricity (FBE):

Nationally, registrations are at 569 008 customers. The FBE beneficiaries figure fluctuates monthly.The 569 008 figure reflects a 17.32% increase from the baseline of 485 000 customers and represents about 28% of the 2.1 million eligible customers.

Eskom is harnessing technology, upgrading infrastructure, and partnering with communities to ensure a safer, smarter, and more reliable power network for South Africa.

Eskom calls on communities to report illegal connections, use electricity responsibly, and protect infrastructure. Any illegal activity affecting Eskom’s infrastructure can be reported 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, providing a consolidated view of key areas of its generation 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, 1 May 2026, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.

ENDS

Similar Posts