Eskom has continued to sustain positive momentum, as the power utility marked more than 270 days without load shedding.
Load shedding was last implemented in April and May 2025.
“South Africa’s power system continues to show sustained stability, supported by ongoing improvements in plant performance and the successful implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan.
“Over the past week, the national grid has remained reliable, with the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) continuing its upward trajectory and unplanned outages decreasing year‑on‑year. These gains have enabled Eskom to maintain a consistent supply without the use of diesel generation, contributing to stronger operational performance and long‑term energy security,” Eskom noted.
The EAF has risen to 65.04% for the financial year to date, with the generation fleet reaching or exceeding the 70% EAF mark on 66 occasions over the same time period.
Furthermore, last week, average unplanned outages measured 11 397MW, compared to some 10 965MW during the same period last year, indicating a slight increase of 432MW.
“Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor [UCLF], reflecting unplanned outages, was at 23.29%, representing a slight reduction of 0.40% compared to the 22.89% recorded during the same period last year.
“During the same period, Eskom’s Planned Capacity Loss Factor PCLF, reflecting planned maintenance, rose to an average of 15.79%, up from 10.89% in the previous financial year.
“This increase aligns with Eskom’s maintenance strategy and demonstrates our commitment to improving plant reliability, strengthening operational stability, and supporting long‑term fleet performance,” the power utility added.
Reduced diesel dependence
The improvement in the EAF has resulted in a reduction in the power utility’s use of diesel generation.
“There was minimal diesel usage over the past week, mainly due to test runs conducted at the Ankerlig and Gourikwa power stations.
“Year to date… total diesel expenditure is now R4.88 billion lower than at the same time last year, reflecting substantial cost savings and continued improvements in operational performance driven by Eskom’s turnaround initiatives. Overall, this trend highlights the growing stability, efficiency, and resilience of the power system.
“Year to date, diesel expenditure remains consistently below budget,” Eskom said.
The power utility noted that it now has some “3 181MW… in cold reserve due to excess capacity”.
“To further ensure a stable electricity supply, Eskom will bring 2 429MW of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 16 February,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
