The continued strengthening of Eskom’s operational performance reflects a progressive shift from Recovery to Reliability and Sustainability. Sustained improvements across the generation fleet are delivering a more dependable electricity supply, significantly reducing reliance on diesel generation and reinforcing South Africa’s energy security. Stronger plant performance and improved system resilience are enabling Eskom to meet demand more efficiently while creating lasting operational and financial benefits for customers, communities and the broader economy.
The financial year-to-date (1 April to 6 August 2026) Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has improved to 67.24%, a 7.19% improvement from the 60.05% achieved during the corresponding period last year. This is the highest financial year-to-date EAF achieved since 18 November 2020, reflecting the impact of sustained operational improvements and structural interventions implemented across the generation fleet.
Compared with the same period three years ago, Eskom’s EAF has improved by 11.9%, returning approximately 5.9GW of generating capacity to the grid. Notably, more than 85% of the coal fleet is currently operating at EAF levels between 70% and 92%.
The sustained improvement in plant performance is also reflected in the declining levels of unplanned outages. Together, these achievements have strengthened system reliability, supported a stable electricity supply and enabled South Africa to meet increased Winter demand while maintaining energy security.
Between 31 July and 6 August 2026, average unplanned outages declined significantly to 7 718MW, down from 10 758MW during the same period last year. This represents a reduction of 3 039MW, or 28.3% year-on-year. This reduction is almost equivalent to the size of the generating capacity of a power station such as Tutuka. This sustained improvement is also reflected in the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which significantly improved to 16.12% from 22.60% in the corresponding period last year, underscoring the continued gains achieved through Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan.
Between 31 July and 6 August 2026, planned maintenance remained aligned with Eskom’s reliability and sustainability objectives, with the Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF) averaging 10.84%, lower than 10.87% in the corresponding period last year.
Eskom continues to maintain additional system capacity, with 3 360MW in cold reserve due to excess capacity, providing further assurance of system adequacy.
Diesel was deployed selectively during peak demand periods and to maintain required reserves in line with the South African Grid Code.
For the financial year-to-date (1 April to 6 August 2026), diesel expenditure stands at R948.46 million, compared with R5.73 billion over the same period last year. The Open-Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) load factor averaged 1.17%, down from 9.33% in the previous year, reflecting a significantly reduced reliance on diesel-powered generation.
This has translated into an 83.44% reduction in diesel expenditure and provides further evidence that sustained improvements in fleet performance are strengthening system reliability while lowering the cost of supplying electricity. The result is a more efficient, resilient and sustainable power system.
The Load Reduction Eradication Programme continues to sustain improvements in the quality of supply across affected communities. Six provinces remain load reduction-free, with approximately 1.196 million customers removed from load reduction schedules, representing 70.8% of the 1.69 million customers originally affected.
As a result, the proportion of Eskom customers impacted by load reduction has declined from a peak of 23.5% of Eskom’s 7.2 million customer base to approximately 6.9%. Work continues in the remaining affected areas of the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with Eskom remaining on track to eliminate load reduction in a seventh province by October 2026 and nationwide by 2027.
South Africa has recorded 448 consecutive days without loadshedding since 16 May 2025, delivering reliable electricity that powers homes, enables businesses to grow and supports broader economic development. Year-to-date (1 April 2026 to 6 August 2026), demand was met 100% of the time.
Today’s evening peak is forecast at 27 133MW, against available capacity of 32 225MW. We are expecting 1 313MW to come back online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 10 August 2026.
Eskom’s Winter Outlook, published on 22 April 2026 for the period 1 April to 31 August 2026, continues to project no loadshedding.
Key Performance Highlights
- For the financial year-to-date (1 April to 6 August 2026), UCLF has reduced to 20.56%, which is 7.19% lower than the same period in the previous year.
- For the financial year-to-date (1 April to 6 August 2026), planned maintenance was at an average of 5 682MW, accounting for 12.02% of total generation capacity, higher than the 11.07% (5 198MW) over the same period in the previous year.
- Year-to-date (1 April to 6 August 2026), OCGT generation stands at 121.77GWh, approximately 87.44% lower than the corresponding period last year. The continued low utilisation of OCGTs reflects improved fleet performance and reduced reliance on diesel-fired generation to meet electricity demand.
- The financial year‑to‑date OCGT load factor stands at 1.17%, lower than the 9.33% recorded over the same period last year and well below the target annual load factor of 3%.
Progress in ending load reduction
Six provinces remain load reduction-free, with approximately 1.196 million customers no longer impacted, representing over 70% of the households originally targeted for intervention.
Although the power system remains stable and generation capacity continues to exceed demand, illegal connections and meter tampering persist in certain localised areas, driving infrastructure damage and posing serious safety risks. Eskom continues to implement load reduction as a temporary, targeted measure in high-risk areas to protect both communities and the electricity network.
To address these challenges sustainably, Eskom has launched a phased programme to eliminate load reduction by 2027. The programme targets 971 feeders and will benefit approximately 1.69 million customers across all provinces, out of Eskom’s total customer base of 7.2 million. Key interventions include the rollout of smart meters, the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), and the expansion of Free Basic Electricity (FBE) support.
These measures will be accompanied by targeted customer education initiatives.
Progress on Key Interventions
Smart meter rollout:
To date, 504 977 smart meters have been installed on load reduction feeders—reaching 87.4% of the 577 347 target for high-priority areas.
Approximately 93% of these installations are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal, where network pressure is highest. The rollout remains focused on high-loss areas impacted by illegal connections, infrastructure overloading and electricity theft.
Despite ongoing stakeholder engagement, including work with ward councillors, public meetings and media platforms, resistance in some areas continues to affect progress. These include safety incidents, intimidation and work stoppages, resulting in delays, with over 122 000 planned installations impacted to date.
Feeders removed from load reduction:
Six of South Africa’s nine provinces have been completely removed from load reduction.
A total of 565 feeders have been removed from load reduction, representing approximately 58% of the 971 target.
- 163 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga (exceeding the target of 150), with both provinces achieving full elimination.
- 244 feeders in Gauteng (40% of the target of 604).
- 13 feeders in the Eastern and Western Cape (86.6% of the target of 15), with the Western Cape achieving full elimination.
- 130 feeders in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (67.3% of the target of 193), with the Free State achieving full elimination.
- 15 feeders in the North West and Northern Cape (exceeding the target of 9), with both provinces achieving full elimination.
Customers benefiting:
An estimated 1 196 657 customers are no longer impacted by load reduction, representing approximately 70.8% of the 1.69 million customers targeted under the programme.
This includes 670 785 customers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga; 268 902 in Gauteng; 21 835 in the Eastern and Western Cape; 184 907 in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State; and 50 228 in the North West and Northern Cape.
Free Basic Electricity (FBE):
A total of 556 409 customers are registered for Free Basic Electricity, reflecting an approximately 15% increase from the baseline of 485 000. This represents approximately 28% of the 2.1 million eligible customers.
Eskom continues to strengthen the network through targeted interventions, technology deployment and community engagement.
Eskom is calling on all affected communities to partner with its teams to help accelerate the elimination of load reduction, in line with planned timelines or sooner where possible.
Customers are encouraged to report illegal connections and infrastructure damage to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.
Eskom data sources
The Eskom data portal provides a 24/7 365 snapshot of system performance. [Eskom Data Portal].
Since May 2024, Eskom has released a detailed power system update every Friday evening, providing a consolidated view of key areas of its performance through the Media Desk and across its social media platforms. This is a deliberate effort to improve transparency.
Eskom will provide its next update on Friday, 14 August 2026, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.
SOURCED FROM THE ESKOM WEBSITE.
