Eskom has recorded an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of some 67.96% since the financial year began, the highest level achieved in six years.
This is as the power utility continues to stave off load shedding, with the last bout of planned power outages experienced more than 490 days ago.
“Weekly EAF remained strong at 72.74% during the period 11 to 17 September 2026, reinforcing the positive year-to-date performance trend. Compared with three years ago, EAF has improved by 12.8%, returning approximately 6 202 MW of generation capacity to the grid and demonstrating continued progress in improving reliability and energy security.
“Improved performance reduced diesel expenditure by R4.80 billion [80.95%] year-on-year, while particulate matter emissions improved to 0.32kg/MWhSO, outperforming the annual target. Together, these results demonstrate Eskom’s continued progress in delivering a more reliable, cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable electricity supply for South Africa,” Eskom stated.
The power utility pinned the improvements on the “impact of structural interventions and ongoing operational improvements across the generation fleet.”
“South Africa has now recorded 490 consecutive days without loadshedding since 16 May 2025, reflecting the cumulative impact of improved fleet performance, lower unplanned outages, increased generation capacity and reduced reliance on emergency generation resources.
“This milestone demonstrates the sustained progress being made in restoring reliability, strengthening energy security and supporting South Africa’s economic growth and development,” Eskom said.
The electricity supplier added that it is also now on track to eliminate load reduction by March next year.
“Seven provinces are already free from load reduction, with approximately 1.4 million customers restored to normal supply conditions. As a result, the number of customers affected has declined from 1.69 million to 247 617, representing just 3.4% of Eskom’s customer base.
“While the remaining affected customers are in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, more than 60% of previously affected customers in these two provinces have already been restored to normal supply conditions, with eradication efforts continuing in the remaining areas,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
