NATIONAL NEWS - As the power system is operating reliably with reduced unplanned outages, Eskom says an additional 3 330 megawatts (MW) capacity is expected to return by Monday.
According to Eskom, the power system is showing ongoing resilience in meeting the winter electricity demand.
“This sustained performance is largely due to ongoing structural improvements in the generation fleet. Since 15 May, there has been no load shedding, with only 26 hours recorded between 1 April and 17 July 2025.
“With 44 days of Eskom’s winter outlook period still remaining, the system remains well-positioned to maintain stability and meet demand effectively.
“When occasional system constraints arise, they are effectively managed through the strategic deployment of emergency reserves during morning and evening peak periods,” Eskom said on Friday.
From 1 April to 17 July 2025, diesel consumption was at 48.4% lower compared to the same period in the 2024 financial year and remains within the budget allocated for 1 April to 31 July 2025, helping maintain operational efficiency when needed.
As of Friday, unplanned outages reduced to 10 846MW, while available generation capacity was at 31 818MW.
“During the week of 11 to 17 July, planned maintenance averaged 4 467MW. Over the same period, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) ranged between 60% and 65%, with the month-to-date average further increasing to 62.31%.
“To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom is planning to return a total of 3 330MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 21 July, and throughout the coming week,” the power utility said.
Between 1 April and 17 July, the Unplanned Capability Loss Factor (UCLF), which indicates the percentage of generation capacity lost due to unexpected outages, stood at 29.53%.
This is about 2.6% higher than the 26.95% recorded during the same period last year. As of Friday, the UCLF was at 23.35% reflecting improved performance.
“The open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) load factor decreased this week, reaching 8.60%, down from the 11.92% recorded during the previous week (4 to 10 July 2025). This indicates less reliance on OCGTs.
“The Winter Outlook, published on 5 May, covering the period ending 31 August, remains valid. It indicates that load shedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000MW. If outages rise to 15 000MW, load shedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days and restricted to Stage 2,” the power utility explained.
“When occasional system constraints arise, they are effectively managed through the strategic deployment of emergency reserves during morning and evening peak periods,” Eskom said on Friday.
Lower diesel usage and outages
From 1 April and 17 July, diesel consumption was 48.4% lower compared to the same period in 2024 and remains within the budget allocated for 1 April to 31 July, helping maintain operational efficiency when needed.
As of Friday, unplanned outages reduced to 10 846MW, while available generation capacity was at 31 818MW.
“During the week of 11 to 17 July, planned maintenance averaged 4 467MW. Over the same period, the Energy Availability Factor ranged between 60% and 65%, with the month-to-date average further increasing to 62.31%.
“To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom is planning to return a total of 3 330MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on July 21, and throughout the coming week,” the power utility said.
Encouraging responsible electricity use
SA News reports that Eskom has encouraged all South Africans to use electricity efficiently throughout the rest of winter and to avoid illegal connections as well as meter bypassing.
“With load-shedding suspended and electricity demand rising during the winter period, Eskom has urged all customers to act responsibly and help safeguard the power system,” the utility said.
Illegal connections and meter bypassing not only constitute theft but also place immense strain on the network, often leading to transformer overloads, equipment damage, and in severe cases, explosions and extended outages.
“To protect critical infrastructure, Eskom is compelled to implement load reduction by switching off power during peak hours in high-risk, isolated areas to prevent potential damage.
“To help maintain a stable and uninterrupted electricity supply, customers are strongly urged to avoid bypassing meters and refrain from illegal connections,” Eskom said.
Electricity should be purchased only through Eskom-accredited vendors, and users are encouraged to regularise their electricity usage.
“These steps are essential to ensuring safe, reliable, and fair access to electricity for all. Eligible households are encouraged to register for free basic electricity with their local municipalities,” Eskom said.
The public has been urged to report any illegal activity impacting Eskom’s infrastructure by contacting the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp on 081 333 3323.
To help manage household electricity consumption, Eskom customers are encouraged to use the Eskom Residential Calculator, a convenient tool for tracking and optimising energy usage: Eskom Residential Calculator -SAnews.gov.za
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