Eskom’s power system continues to demonstrate improved resilience as colder temperatures drive higher evening demand. The sustained performance underscores the impact of the Generation Recovery Plan, reinforcing Eskom’s Winter Outlook projection of no loadshedding.
Exactly at 24:00 tonight, Eskom will complete a year without the need to implement loadshedding, which was last implemented on a rotational basis on Thursday, 15 May 2025, from 16:00 to 22:00. The last time South Africa experienced one full year without loadshedding was in September 2018.
For the financial year to date (1 April to 14 May 2026), diesel expenditure is at R589.95 million, significantly lower than the R2.72 billion incurred in the same period last year, reflecting an 78.31% reduction year-on-year. The past week’s expenditure reflects a slight increase from the previous week due to the month-end reconciliation for April 2026 during this period.
This continued reduction demonstrates both the cost savings and the operational improvements achieved through Eskom’s ongoing turnaround efforts. Overall, this positive trend highlights the growing stability and efficiency of the power system.
Diesel in the past week was strategically deployed at peak demand times to meet the higher-than-expected demand as well as provide the required reserves in line with the South African Grid Code. The financial year to date (1 April to 14 May 2026) Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) load factor stands at 1.68%, significantly lower than the 12.86% recorded over the same period last year and well below the target annual load factor of 3%.
For the financial year to date (1 April to 14 May 2026), Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) stands at 60.99%, improving from 56.77% over the same period last year, a 4.22% increase, despite increased planned maintenance averaging 7 203MW since the start of the current financial year. This performance reflects sustained progress under Eskom’s turnaround strategy and represents a 1.13% improvement compared to the corresponding period two years ago.
Between 8 and 14 May 2026, average unplanned outages declined to 10 310MW, a reduction of 3 495MW compared to the 13 805MW recorded over the same period last year, contributing to a less constrained power grid.
Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which reflects unplanned outages, was 21.13%, representing a 7.98% reduction compared to the 29.11% recorded during the same period last year, thereby contributing to available capacity.
During the same period, Eskom’s Planned Capability Loss Factor (PCLF), which reflects planned maintenance, averaged 13.52%, higher than the 12.18% in the previous financial year and is aligned with Eskom’s efforts to ensure environmental compliance, improve reliability and support long‑term sustainability.
In addition, 2 535MW is currently in cold reserve due to excess capacity.
Since 16 May 2025, South Africa has recorded 364 consecutive days without interruptions to electricity supply, reflecting system availability of approximately 99.7%.
During the previous financial year, supply interruptions were limited to 26 hours across four days in April and May 2025. Notably, there have been no interruptions in the current financial year to date (from 1 April to date), underscoring the improved strength and reliability of the power system.
To further ensure a stable electricity supply, Eskom will bring 2 863MW of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 18 May 2026. Today’s evening peak demand is forecast at 26 179MW, with 30 560MW of available capacity.
Eskom published the Winter Outlook on 22 April 2026, covering the period 1 April to 31 August 2026, which projects no loadshedding due to sustained improvements in plant performance from the Generation Recovery Plan.
Key Performance Highlights
- The power system continues to demonstrate improved resilience, with no interruptions in the current financial year to date (1 April to 14 May 2026).
- For the financial year to date (1 April to 14 May 2026), planned maintenance was at an average of 7 203MW, accounting for 15.24% of total generation capacity, higher than the 14.39% (6 729MW) over the same period in the previous year.
- Year-to-date (1 April to 14 May 2026), OCGT generation declined to 59.981GWh at a diesel cost of R589.95 million, down approximately 86.96% in output and 78.31% in costs compared to the corresponding period last year.
- The financial year‑to‑date OCGT load factor stands at 1.68%, significantly lower than the 12.86% recorded over the same period last year and well below the target annual load factor of 3%. This level is approximately half of the FY2026 target, reflecting increased confidence in improved fleet performance and reduced reliance on diesel‑fired generation.
Progress in Ending Load Reduction: Over half a million customers no longer impacted by load reduction across South Africa, with full elimination in the Northern and Western Cape
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, and the expansion of Free Basic Electricity support. These measures will be accompanied by targeted customer education initiatives.
Progress on key interventions
Smart Meter Rollout:
Since inception, a total of 1 667 969 smart meters has been deployed nationwide. Of these, 268 950 units have been deployed on load‑reduction feeders, representing a 16% allocation to high‑priority areas. This targeted deployment is critical to easing grid pressure while empowering customers with real‑time consumption data and greater control over their energy usage.
Of the 268 950 smart meters installed on load reduction feeders, approximately 92% are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu‑Natal, where network risk is highest.
The rollout is deliberately focused on high-loss areas affected by illegal connections, meter bypassing, overloaded infrastructure and widespread electricity theft. Eskom has undertaken extensive community and stakeholder engagement through ward councillors, public meetings, radio platforms and social media to support the implementation of the programme.
Despite these efforts, installation teams continue to face persistent resistance, including intimidation, violent incidents and repeated work stoppages. These disruptions have led to deployment delays, the redeployment of teams, and heightened safety risks for Eskom employees and contractors.
As a result, over 122 000 planned meter conversions have been delayed to-date, undermining the stability and predictability of the rollout programme.
Feeders Removed from Load Reduction:
A total of 351 feeders has been removed from load reduction, against a planned target of 971, reflecting approximately 36% progress. This includes:
- 62 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga (41.3% of the target of 150).
- 166 feeders in Gauteng (27.5% of the target of 604).
- 10 feeders in the Eastern and Western Cape (66.7% of the target of 15). Notably, the Western Cape achieved 100% of its target, resulting in the complete elimination of load reduction in the province.
- 101 feeders in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (52.3% of the target of 193)
- 12 feeders in the North West and Northern Cape (133% of the targeted 9). Notably, the Northern Cape achieved 100% of its target, resulting in the complete elimination of load reduction in the province.
Eskom is intensifying its efforts through a phased programme designed to eliminate load reduction across South Africa. The initiative aims to completely remove load reduction in seven provinces by October 2026. For Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, which face higher network risks and challenges, the target for eliminating load reduction is set for 2027.
Customers benefiting from the elimination of the load reduction programme:
Based on feeders removed from load reduction to date, an estimated 598 042 customers out of a target of 1.69 million are now benefiting. This includes 208 266 customers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga; 217 487 in Gauteng; 12 422 in the Eastern and Western Cape; 121 910 in KwaZulu‑Natal and the Free State; and 37 957 in the North West and Northern Cape.
Free Basic Electricity (FBE):
Nationally, registrations are at 569 008 customers. The FBE beneficiaries figure fluctuates monthly. The 569 008 figure reflects a 17.32% increase from the baseline of 485 000 customers and represents about 27% of the 2.1 million eligible customers.
Eskom is harnessing technology, upgrading infrastructure, and partnering with communities to ensure a safer, smarter, and more reliable power network for South Africa.
Eskom calls on communities to report illegal connections, use electricity responsibly, and protect infrastructure. Any illegal activity affecting Eskom’s infrastructure can be reported 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, 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, 22 May 2026.
