Eskom power system enters 2026 with key performance gains

The utility said the Generation Recovery Plan and sustained planned maintenance have delivered measurable improvements

Eskom says South Africa’s power system remains stable, underpinned by year-on-year gains in key performance indicators, as improved generation performance continues to support electricity supply.

In a statement issued on Friday (2 January) the utility said the Generation Recovery Plan and sustained planned maintenance have delivered measurable improvements across the fleet, despite heavy rainfall in December.

The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) reached 69.14% in December 2025, a year-on-year improvement of 12.57% from 56.57% recorded in the same period last year, the utility said. 

Key performance highlights across Eskom power system

On a year-to-date basis, EAF has increased to 64.35%, with the fleet meeting or exceeding the 70% benchmark on 49 occasions, reinforcing confidence in the stability of the national power system.

A second key highlight is the continued reduction in unplanned outages. Between 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026, average unplanned outages declined to 6,822MW, compared with 12,328MW over the same period last year – an improvement of 5,506MW. 

Current unplanned outages stand at 6,662MW, a level last seen in 2019. Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) declined to 14.06%, compared with 26.12% a year earlier.

The third performance gain relates to planned maintenance and diesel usage. 

During the period, the average Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF) was 9.41%, down from 19.08% in the previous financial year, reflecting the impact of Eskom’s intensive maintenance programme. 

Curbing reliance on diesel

Improved EAF has reduced reliance on diesel-fired open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs), with no diesel used for a second consecutive week, resulting in zero expenditure over the past two weeks. Year-to-date, diesel spending remains below budget, Eskom reported.

Between 1 April 2025 and 1 January 2026, Eskom generated 1,049.38GWh from OCGT plants at a cost of R6.232 billion, compared with 1,410.59GWh at a cost of R8.743 billion during the same period last year. 

The year-to-date OCGT load factor declined to 4.64%, below last year’s 6.24% and below the set target.

Reducing load reduction

Another key highlight is progress in ending load reduction. Eskom said 95,989 customers are no longer affected during peak periods following the removal of additional feeders from load reduction.

Nationally, 70 feeders – representing 26% of the target of 271 feeders – have been removed from load reduction to date, benefitting customers across Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Eastern and Western Cape.

“The total number of feeders removed from load reduction has increased to 70. This includes 13 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga (35% of the target of 37), 37 in Gauteng (29% of the target of 126), 7 in the Eastern and Western Cape (47% of the target of 15), and 13 in KwaZulu‑Natal and the Free State (14% of the target of 94).

“Nationally, the 70 feeders removed represent 26% of the overall target of 271 feeders to be removed from load reduction by March 2026.”

231 days without loadshedding

Overall system stability has resulted in 231 consecutive days (as of Friday) without interrupted supply, with only 26 hours of loadshedding recorded in April and May during the current financial year. 

Eskom said it will bring 5,585MW of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak today (Monday, 5 January) with peak demand forecast at 19,545MW against available capacity of 23,894MW.

However, the utility cautioned that adverse festive-season weather led to a sharp increase in faults across the distribution network, with incidents rising by about 40% year on year. 

Eskom responds to infrastructure damage

While supply has been restored in most areas, some communities remain without electricity due to severely damaged infrastructure. 

Eskom said teams continue to work to restore supply safely, while illegal connections and meter tampering remain a risk to the network.

“To address these challenges sustainably, Eskom has initiated a phased programme to eliminate load reduction by 2027. The programme targets 971 feeders and will impact approximately 1.69 million customers through interventions such as smart meters, Distributed Energy Resources, and expanded Free Basic Electricity support,” the utility said.

Eskom reiterated that its Summer Outlook, published on 5 September 2025 for the period to 31 March 2026, projects no loadshedding due to sustained improvements in plant performance under the Generation Recovery Plan.

Cover photo:   In August 2025, Eskom removed two transformers that were illegally connected to its network in Bokamoso, Rustenburg Local Municipality in the North West province. Source: Eskom/X