Eskom continues to make measurable progress in strengthening South Africa’s energy security to support economic growth and investment as a result of its increasing operational and financial sustainability. For the financial year-to-date period from 1 April to 17 September 2026, the Generation fleet achieved an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 67.96%, the highest level in six years, driven by a 6.92% improvement in unplanned outages to 19.23% and the return of approximately 3 100MW of generation capacity to the grid.
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 202MW 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.
The sustained improvement in fleet performance reflects the impact of structural interventions and ongoing operational improvements across the generation fleet.
From 1 April to 17 September 2026, diesel expenditure declined by R4.80 billion, or 80.95%, compared to the same period last year, decreasing from R5.93 billion to R1.13 billion. Over the same period, the Open Cycles Gas Turbine (OCGT) load factor reduced sharply from 7.25% to 1.06%, reflecting the impact of improved plant performance and the contribution of additional generation capacity to the grid.
At the same time, Eskom’s Load Reduction Eradication Programme remains on track to eliminate load reduction for all Eskom customers by March 2027. 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.
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.
Key Performance Highlights at a glance
Eskom provides key performance highlights for the past 7 days, the financial year to date and since March 2023, when the generation recovery plan commenced as a key part of the Eskom turnaround.
Energy Availability Factor (EAF)
- Between 11 and 17 September 2026, EAF was at a marginally lower level compared to the same period last year, at 72.74% compared to 72.96%, mainly due to a higher Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF).
- The financial year-to-date (1 April to 17 September 2026) EAF has improved to 67.96%, a 5.79% improvement from the 62.17% achieved during the corresponding period last year.
- This is still the highest financial year-to-date EAF achieved in six years, 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 12.8%, returning approximately 6 202MW of generating capacity to the grid. Notably, more than 86% of the coal fleet is currently operating at EAF levels between 60.6% and 98.6%.
Unplanned outages (Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor – UCLF)
- Between 11 and 17 September 2026, average unplanned outages decreased to 6 904MW from 7 388MW in the corresponding period last year, a reduction of 484MW or 7%.
- Between 11 and 17 September 2026, the UCLF improved significantly from 15.24% in the corresponding period last year to 14.25%, reflecting sustained operational gains and a progressive shift from recovery to reliability.
- For the financial year to date (1 April to 17 September 2026), UCLF has reduced to 19.23%, which is 6.92% lower than the same period in the previous year.
- Average unplanned outages have been reduced by 7 126MW over the past three years, declining from 16 217MW to 9 091MW.
Planned maintenance (Planned Capacity Loss Factor – PCLF)
- Between 11 and 17 September 2026, planned maintenance remains aligned with Eskom’s reliability and sustainability objectives, with the PCLF averaging 13.01%, significantly higher than 11.16% in the corresponding period last year.
- For the financial year to date (1 April to 17 September 2026), planned maintenance was at an average of 5 979MW, accounting for 12.62% of total generation capacity, higher than the 11.18% (5 219MW) over the same period in the previous year.
- Three years ago, planned maintenance was at an average of 4 412MW, accounting for 9.41% of total generation capacity.
Diesel usage
- OCGT utilisation remained minimal during the past week, reflecting improved generation fleet performance and system stability.
- For the financial year-to-date (1 April to 17 September 2026), OCGT generation remains at 146.81GWh, approximately 85.33% 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 1.06%, lower than the 7.25% recorded over the same period last year, reflecting a significantly reduced reliance on diesel-powered generation and remaining well below the target annual load factor of 3%.
- Comparing the annual spend for the financial year ended March 2023 to the annual spend for the financial year ended March 2026, diesel expenditure reduced by R23.0 billion.
Eskom continues to maintain additional system capacity, with 8 716MW in cold reserve due to excess capacity, providing further assurance of system adequacy.
Today’s evening peak is forecast at 22 081MW, against available capacity of 27 500MW. We expect 4 043MW to come back online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 21 September 2026.
The power system status and Summer Outlook will be announced in the coming weeks
Progress in ending load reduction
More than 1.4 million customers removed from load reduction as seven provinces remain load reduction-free and 86% of targeted households returned to normal supply; load reduction impact falls to 247 617 customers or 3.4%
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, 513 648 smart meters have been installed on load reduction feeders, reaching approximately 89% of the 577 347 target for high-priority areas. Approximately 82% 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 more than 122 000 planned installations impacted to date.
Feeders removed from load reduction:
Seven of South Africa’s nine provinces have been completely removed from load reduction.
A total of 578 feeders have been removed from load reduction, representing approximately 59% of the 971 target.
- 163 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga (exceeding the target of 150), with both provinces achieving full elimination.
- 251 feeders in Gauteng (41.5% of the target of 604).
- 14 feeders in the Eastern and Western Cape (100% of the target), with both provinces achieving full elimination.
- 135 feeders in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (69.9% 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 1 446 771 customers are no longer impacted by load reduction, representing approximately 86% of the 1.69 million customers targeted under the programme. This includes 670 785 customers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga; 493 243 in Gauteng; 29 812 in the Eastern and Western Cape; 202 703 in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State; and 50 228 in the North West and Northern Cape.
Free Basic Electricity (FBE):
A total of 546 576 customers are registered for FBE, reflecting an approximately 13% increase from the baseline of 485 000 customers. This represents approximately 26% 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, 25 September 2026, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.
SOURCED FROM ESKOM WEBSITE.
