Eskom
South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, has made remarkable strides in stabilising the national electricity grid, showcasing the success of its ongoing Generation Recovery Plan. As the country enjoys extended periods without power interruptions, the latest updates highlight significant reductions in diesel usage, improved plant performance, and strategic initiatives to end load reduction practices.
These developments signal a brighter future for energy security in South Africa, with benefits flowing to households and businesses alike.
Steady Progress in the Generation Recovery Plan
Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan continues to deliver tangible results, building on months of focused efforts to enhance the reliability of the power system. The plan, which prioritises maintenance, operational efficiencies, and fleet improvements, has led to a more resilient grid. For instance, the utility plans to restore 4,270 megawatts of generation capacity by Monday, 17 November 2025, ensuring ample supply ahead of evening peak demands forecasted at around 23,568 megawatts. With 28,153 megawatts available and an additional 5,645 megawatts in cold reserves, the system remains well-equipped to handle daily needs without strain.
This progress is evident in key metrics. Year-to-date, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) has dropped to 24.73 per cent, marking a week-on-week improvement of 0.19 per cent and staying below last year’s figure of 25.18 per cent. Such reductions in unplanned outages reflect the plan’s emphasis on proactive repairs and better management of the ageing fleet. Eskom has also celebrated milestones like the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 reaching 40 years of operation on 9 November 2025, with its licence extended to deliver clean, reliable energy until 2045. This extension supports long-term stability and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
Boost in Energy Availability Factor Drives Reliability
One of the standout achievements is the rise in the Energy Availability Factor (EAF), a crucial measure of how much time generation units are ready to produce electricity. Month-to-date, the EAF has reached 70.79 per cent, up by 7.59 per cent from 63.16 per cent during the same period last year. Year-to-date, it stands at 63.48 per cent, an increase from 63.02 per cent previously, demonstrating consistent gains.
These improvements have directly contributed to South Africa’s impressive streak of 182 consecutive days without loadshedding as of 14 November 2025. The only interruptions this financial year totalled just 26 hours, occurring in April and May. This marks a stark contrast to previous years plagued by frequent blackouts, offering relief to millions of residents and boosting economic activities. The Summer Outlook, published on 5 September 2025, projects no loadshedding from 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026, assuming no major unexpected setbacks. Factors like reduced breakdowns and enhanced reserves have made this forecast possible, with the utility forecasting a stable supply even during higher summer demands.
Dramatic Drop in Diesel Expenditure Highlights Cost Savings
Eskom’s reduced reliance on expensive diesel for Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) stands out as a major win for both finances and the environment. In the past week, diesel expenditure plummeted to R4.8 million, compared to R287.64 million during the same period last year—a staggering cut that underscores the efficiency gains. This limited usage was mainly for statutory environmental compliance tests at Unit 12 of the Ankerlig Power Station.
Year-to-date, from 1 April to 13 November 2025, Eskom generated 1,024.47 gigawatt-hours from OCGT plants at a cost of R6.079 billion, slightly higher in volume than the 998.79 gigawatt-hours last year but with costs managed effectively. Diesel consumption has declined steadily month-on-month since May 2025, with the current load factor at just 0.08 per cent. The OCGT load factor year-to-date is 5.51 per cent, a 0.17 per cent improvement from 5.37 per cent in the prior period.
Broader trends show even more savings: diesel spend dropped from R33.4 billion in the 2024 financial year to around R17 billion in 2025, with over R16 billion in year-on-year reductions. Earlier in the year, the OCGT load factor was as high as 20.05 per cent in January 2025 and 16.02 per cent in April, but it fell to 8.28 per cent by later months and 0.75 per cent by October. These efficiencies stem from better plant availability, allowing Eskom to shift focus to cost-effective primary energy sources like coal and nuclear, while keeping diesel expenditure well below budget.
Advancements in Planned Maintenance and Outage Management
Planned maintenance plays a vital role in preventing future breakdowns, and Eskom has balanced this with operational needs. The average Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF) for 7 to 13 November 2025 is 10.92 per cent, down from 13.6 per cent last year. Currently, planned maintenance averages 5,319 megawatts, accounting for 11.33 per cent of total generation capacity—similar to the previous week but 0.03 per cent higher than the same period last year.
Unplanned outages have seen a substantial decrease, averaging 9,115 megawatts between 7 and 13 November 2025, an improvement of 2,142 megawatts year-on-year from 11,257 megawatts. Recent updates indicate even larger reductions, such as 2,302 megawatts in some weekly comparisons. These figures highlight the Generation Recovery Plan’s impact, with fewer breakdowns and quicker recoveries. From 1 to 23 October 2025, the EAF was 64.28 per cent, up from 61.44 per cent the previous year, showing sustained momentum.
Phased Approach to Ending Load Reduction Nationwide
Eskom is actively addressing load reduction, a measure used in high-risk areas to protect infrastructure from overloads caused by illegal connections and meter tampering. The utility aims to eliminate this practice entirely by 2027 through a multi-pronged strategy. A key component is the rollout of smart meters, with plans to install 577,000 by 2026 and a full 6.2 million over the next three years. To date, 37,482 smart meters have been installed across all provinces, enabling better demand management and remote monitoring.
Two feeders in Limpopo Province have been fully completed, and after a seven-day monitoring period, they will be removed from the load reduction schedule. The programme, launched on 13 November 2025 in Sandfontein village, North West, is expected to benefit approximately 1.69 million of Eskom’s 7.2 million customers across 971 feeders, with high concentrations in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. This initiative not only stabilises supply but also expands Free Basic Electricity to more households, ensuring vulnerable communities receive support.
To strengthen supply in high-demand and remote areas, Eskom is deploying Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), including solar and other renewables. The utility urges communities to report illegal activities, such as unauthorised connections, to its Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323. These efforts tackle underlying issues like infrastructure damage and revenue loss, fostering a safer and more reliable power system for all South Africans.
🔴Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 119 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Jacob Zuma Welcomes Tony Yengeni to MK Party as Second Deputy President in Major Leadership Shake-Up🔴
Read more⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://centralnews.co.za/central-news-weekly-edition-issue-116-download-the-latest-print-and-e-edition-headline-jacob-zuma-welcomes-tonyyengeni-to-mk-party-as-second-deputy-president-in-major-leadership-shake-up/
Read all our publications on magzter:
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube