The power system is stable. Ongoing planned maintenance continues, with year-on-year decline in unplanned outages.

Friday, 02 May 2025: The power system remains stable, supported by adequate emergency reserves that are strategically deployed when necessary to manage periods of peak demand. This proactive management contributes to the overall reliability and resilience of the electricity supply.

Planned maintenance activities are ongoing as part of our efforts to prepare for the anticipated winter peak demand, while also ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and environmental requirements. For year-to-date (01 April to 01 May 2025), an average of 6 928MW — equivalent to 14.82% of total generation capacity—has been under planned maintenance. This reflects a 3.4 percentage point increase compared to the same period last year.

The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which measures unplanned outages, stands at 28.26% for the financial year-to-date (01 April to 01 May 2025). This reflects an improvement of approximately 1.6 percentage points compared to 29.82% recorded during the same period last year.

The Open-Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) load factor decreased to 3.78% during the past week (25 April to 01 May 2025), down from the 15.28% recorded in the week of 18 to 24 April 2025. Reliance on diesel usage is expected to decline as maintenance activities wind down and additional units return from long-term repairs during the winter months, increasing available generation capacity.

Eskom is scheduled to announce its Winter Outlook on 05 May 2025.

A total of 2 850MW will be returned to service before the evening peak on Monday, 05 May 2025, to further stabilise the grid.

Key Performance Highlights:

  • From 25 April to 01 May 2025, unplanned outages averaged 14 122MW, showing an increase of 195MW compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date (01 April to 01 May 2025) average unplanned outages stand at 13 447MW. 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.
  • As of today, unplanned outages have declined to 12 644MW, down from 13 519MW recorded last week. The available generation capacity is currently 27 682MW (excluding 720MW from Kusile Unit 6), while tonight’s peak demand is projected at 27 213MW.
  • From 01 April to 01 May 2025, the year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) is 56.43%, down slightly from 58.30% 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.
  • From 01 April to 01 May 2025, the OCGT load factor stands at 15.50%, representing an 18.1% decrease from the previous week. However, it remains significantly higher than the 6.59% 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, 09 May 2025, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.

ENDS

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