Eskom has reported that the country’s power system remains stable despite increased electricity demand at the start of winter, maintaining its streak of more than 350 days without implementing loadshedding.

The power utility previously indicated that no loadshedding is expected during the winter period.

According to Eskom, sustained improvements in generation performance and operational execution have supported the stable system. Progress through the Generation Recovery Plan has reduced reliance on diesel-fired generation and strengthened cost efficiency.

The Energy Availability Factor now stands at 60.14%, representing a 4.13% increase from last year and a 4.52% improvement compared to two years ago.

Between 24 and 30 April 2026, average unplanned outages declined to 12 795MW, a reduction of 1 854MW compared to the 14 649MW recorded during the same period last year.

The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor, which reflects unplanned outages, was 26.65% over the same period, representing a 4.21% reduction compared to the 30.86% recorded last year.

Diesel expenditure for Open Cycle Gas Turbines has reduced significantly to R374.93 million for the period 1 to 30 April 2026, down from R2.347 billion incurred during the same period last year.

Eskom said it would bring 3 063MW of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak on Monday.

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The utility’s programme to end load reduction is progressing, with 352 968 customers no longer affected. Load reduction is implemented in high-risk areas to protect communities and the electricity network where illegal connections and meter tampering persist.

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.

The remaining customers due for load reduction removal by financial year-end include 122 817 in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 76 322 in Gauteng, 13 080 in the Eastern and Western Cape, 5 936 in KwaZulu-Natal and Free State, and 6 224 in the Northern Cape and North West provinces.

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