The power system is stable. Ongoing planned maintenance continues, with a reduction in unplanned outages sustained

Friday, 25 April 2025: In the past 24 hours a total of 3 320MW of generation capacity has been restored, ensuring a stable power system with enough supply to meet the long weekend’s demand. Emergency reserves are adequate and will be strategically utilised when necessary to manage peak demand.

Planned maintenance continues to ensure system readiness for increased winter demand, to meet regulatory requirements and to ensure environmental compliance. Year-to-date (1 to 24 April 2025), 7 164MW of the generation capacity has been under planned maintenance, on average. This equates to 15.32% of generation capacity, marking a 3.8% increase compared to the same period last year.

The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), or unplanned outages, for the financial year-to-date (1 to 24 April 2025), stands at 27.82%, improving by ~2.1% from 29.89% achieved in the same period last year. 

The OCGT load factor increased to 15.28% during the past week (18 to 24 April 2025), up from the 9.78% recorded in the week of 11 to 17 April 2025.

Eskom is scheduled to announce its winter outlook on 5 May 2025.

A total of 4 058MW will be returned to service before the evening peak on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, to further stabilise the grid.

Key Performance Highlights:

• From 18 to 24 April 2025, average unplanned outages reduced to 13 430MW, showing an improvement of 472MW compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date (1 to 24 April 2025) average unplanned outages stand at 13 243MW.

• As of today, unplanned outages have increased to 13 519MW compared to 11 362MW last week. The available generation capacity stands at 28 386MW (excluding the 720MW from Kusile Unit 6), while tonight’s peak demand is forecasted at 27 073MW. Fluctuations in unplanned outages are partly driven by outage slips, which occur when a unit initially scheduled for planned maintenance is reclassified as unplanned due to exceeding the scheduled maintenance timeframe.

• From 1 to 24 April 2025, the year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) is 56.36%, down slightly from 58.05% during the same period last year. The decline is mainly attributed to higher levels of planned maintenance and does not include the 720MW from Kusile Unit 6, which is not yet in commercial operation.

• Year-to-date (1 to 24 April 2025), Eskom spent approximately R2.19 billion on fuel for the Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) fleet, generating 372.05GWh. This is higher than the 149.9GWh generated during the same period last year. This is expected to decrease as maintenance activities begin to slow down in the winter period.

• From 1 to 24 April 2025, the OCGT load factor stands at 18.92%, representing a 7.3% decrease from the previous week. However, it remains significantly higher than the 7.62% 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, 2 May 2025, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.

ENDS