Ramaphosa
Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has spotlighted Eskom’s big steps forward in his weekly newsletter, calling the power utility’s return to profit and sharp drop in loadshedding a clear win for sticking to the plan and working together. In his message on Monday, 6 October 2025, he pointed out how Eskom’s losses have turned into gains, with loadshedding hitting just 13 days this financial year – a massive fall from 329 days last year. This comes as Eskom gears up for a huge R320 billion spend on fixing and growing its setup, aiming to keep the lights on through summer and beyond.
The president’s words come at a good time for South Africans tired of blackouts, showing how teamwork between government, business, and Eskom staff is paying off. With the economy feeling the pinch from past power woes, this progress could help businesses grow and create jobs. But challenges like rising municipal debt still loom, reminding everyone that the road ahead needs careful handling.
Eskom’s Comeback: From Losses to Profit and Fewer Blackouts
Eskom has flipped the script on its tough years, posting a R23.9 billion profit before tax for the first time in eight years. Back in 2022, when the National Energy Action Plan kicked off, the utility was deep in the red with R12.3 billion in losses and over R300 billion in debt. Auditors even warned about its future. Now, things look brighter, thanks to better plant upkeep and fewer surprise breakdowns.
The Energy Availability Factor – a key measure of how well power stations run – sits at 70.45% so far this month, beating targets and showing plants are more reliable. Unplanned outages averaged 9,534 MW last week, down 1,971 MW from the same time last year. That’s like saving the full output of Koeberg Power Station. Eskom has met demand 97.8% of the time this financial year, with only 26 hours of loadshedding from April to early October 2025 – and 140 straight days without it overall.
A big part of this is cutting back on pricey diesel for backup turbines, saving about R16 billion this year. The Open Cycle Gas Turbines load factor dropped to 6.63%, meaning less rush to burn fuel when plants fail. Ramaphosa gave a nod to Eskom’s hard work, saying it shows what happens when everyone pulls in the same direction.
Partnerships at the Heart of the Recovery
The president stressed how joining forces has been key. The National Electricity Crisis Committee brings together government departments, Eskom bosses, and private players to tackle issues head-on. This setup, along with the Government Business Partnership, has helped not just with power but also transport, crime, and job creation for young people.
Ramaphosa noted: “Eskom’s improved financial position will enable it to invest in critical infrastructure and maintenance under its Generation Recovery Plan that has been pursued with diligence.” The plan focuses on fixing old plants and adding new capacity to avoid future breakdowns. With R320 billion set aside for upgrades over the coming years, Eskom aims to build a stronger grid that supports growth.
A recent win was Kusile Unit 6 going online on 29 September 2025, wrapping up the new-build programme. Together with Medupi, these stations can pump out up to 9,600 MW at full tilt, beefing up the country’s baseload power – the steady supply that keeps things running day and night.
Lingering Hurdles: Debt and Theft Still a Drag
Not everything is smooth sailing. Municipal debt to Eskom jumped 27% this year, putting a strain on the utility’s books. Ramaphosa said work is ongoing with local governments to find ways for them to pay up, as this is vital for Eskom’s long-term health.
Load reduction – short cuts in high-risk spots to stop overloads from theft and illegal hook-ups – is still needed in some areas. Eskom blames this on 640,000 illegal connections that damage gear and cause explosions. They plan to fix this in 12 to 18 months by rolling out smart meters, cracking down on dodgy vending, and boosting free basic electricity for the needy.
Between April and June 2025, load reduction averaged 529 MW to 544 MW. Eskom urges people to buy power from legit sellers and sort out their accounts to help end this sooner.
Looking Ahead: No Loadshedding Until April 2026 and Beyond
Eskom’s Summer Outlook for September 2025 to March 2026 predicts no loadshedding, thanks to the recovery plan’s wins. This is a step up from last summer’s 13 days of outages. The utility is pushing other parts of the Energy Action Plan, like adding new power sources, drawing private cash, and shaking up the sector.
The Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, in force since January 2025, opens the door for more competition and splits Eskom into separate generation, transmission, and distribution arms. Plans include building 14,000 km of new transmission lines over the next decade, with private help to expand the grid.
Ramaphosa wrapped up by saying this shows the power of sticking to long-term goals, even with tough talk from critics. He sees it as a blueprint for fixing the wider economy to create jobs and growth for all.
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