Friday, 06 November 2026: Eskom continues to sustain the gains delivered through its Generation Recovery Plan, with the financial year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) reaching 68.16% and approximately 6 481MW of generation capacity recovered compared with three years ago. The sustained improvement in generation performance has strengthened the power system, enabling Eskom to shift from recovery to sustaining reliability, strengthening long-term sustainability and unlocking electricity capacity to support economic growth and industrialisation.
Intensified 24-hour monitoring and prioritised operational response remain in place as part of Eskom’s strengthened measures to support the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) process across the country. Supply remains stable across all provinces, while teams continue to respond rapidly to localised network incidents in Mpumalanga and weather-related disruptions in KwaZulu-Natal.
Unplanned outages have improved by 6.05% year-on-year, representing approximately 2 720MW of generation capacity returned to service compared with the corresponding period last year. The longer-term improvement is more pronounced, with average unplanned outages declining by approximately 7 076MW over the past three years, from 16 167MW to 9 092MW.
The stronger generation performance has also significantly reduced reliance on diesel-fired Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs). Financial year-to-date diesel expenditure stands at R1.26 billion, R4.81 billion, or 79.19%, lower than the R6.073 billion spent over the corresponding period last year.
Eskom currently has approximately 6 855MW of available generation capacity above current demand requirements, strengthening system resilience while creating headroom to support new electricity demand. This additional capacity provides an opportunity to support energy-intensive industries, new investment, industrial growth and strengthening South Africa’s potential role as a regional electricity hub through increased export sales.
Environmental performance continues to improve alongside generation reliability. As at the end of September, financial year-to-date relative particulate emissions remained within the 0.35kg/MWhSO target, sustaining the improved performance achieved since October 2025.
Significant progress has also been made in reducing load reduction. Seven of South Africa’s nine provinces are now free from load reduction. Approximately 1.6 million previously affected customers have returned to normal electricity supply, reducing the load reduction footprint by 94%, from approximately 1.69 million customers to 102 551. Targeted interventions continue in the remaining affected areas as Eskom advances towards its goal of eliminating load reduction by March 2027.
South Africa has now recorded 539 consecutive days without loadshedding since 16 May 2025, underscoring the sustained improvement in the reliability and availability of Eskom’s generation fleet.
The combination of higher generation availability, significantly lower unplanned outages, reduced diesel expenditure and the near elimination of load reduction demonstrate the structural improvement in the power system. Eskom’s focus is now on sustaining these gains, strengthening the long-term sustainability of the business and converting improved generation performance into electricity capacity that supports South Africa’s economic growth and industrialisation.
Key Performance Highlights at a glance
Eskom provides key performance highlights for the past 7 days, the financial year-to-date and since March 2023, when the Generation Recovery Plan commenced as a key part of the Eskom turnaround.
Energy Availability Factor (EAF)
- Between 30 October and 5 November 2026, EAF was lower compared to the same period last year, at 69.53% compared to 70.66%.
- The financial year-to-date (1 April to 5 November 2026) EAF has improved to 68.16%, a 4.95% improvement from the 63.21% achieved during the corresponding period last year.
- This remains the highest financial year-to-date EAF achieved in six years, reflecting the impact of sustained operational improvements and structural interventions implemented across the generation fleet.
- Compared with the same period three years ago, Eskom’s EAF has improved by 12.51%, returning approximately 6 481MW of generating capacity to the grid. Notably, 57% of the coal fleet is currently operating at EAF levels between 60% and 93%.
Unplanned Outages (Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor – UCLF)
- UCLF increased to 18.41% between 30 October and 5 November 2026, compared with 16.82% in the same period last year.
- Despite the weekly increase, financial year-to-date UCLF improved to 18.93%, 6.05% lower year-on-year, reflecting sustained improvements in generation reliability.
- Average unplanned outages have been reduced by 7 076MW over the past three years, declining from 16 167MW to 9 092MW.
Planned Maintenance (Planned Capacity Loss Factor – PCLF)
- Between 30 October and 5 November 2026, planned maintenance remains aligned with Eskom’s reliability and sustainability objectives, with the PCLF averaging 12.04%, lower than 12.25% recorded in the corresponding period last year.
- For the financial year-to-date (1 April to 5 November 2026), planned maintenance was at an average of 6 070MW, accounting for 12.75% of total generation capacity, higher than the 11.35% (5 332MW) recorded over the same period in the previous year.
- Three years ago, planned maintenance was at an average of 4 538MW, accounting for 9.72% of total generation capacity.
Diesel Usage
- Eskom did not utilise OCGTs for electricity generation during the past week, reflecting improved generation fleet performance and system stability.
- For the financial year-to-date (1 April to 5 November 2026), OCGT generation was 163.95GWh, approximately 83.98% lower than the corresponding period last year.
- The continued low utilisation of OCGTs reflects improved fleet performance and reduced reliance on diesel-fired generation to meet electricity demand.
- The financial year‑to‑date OCGT load factor stands at 0.92%, lower than the 5.75% recorded over the same period last year, reflecting a significantly reduced reliance on diesel-powered generation and remaining well below the target annual load factor of 3%.
- Comparing the annual spend for the financial year ended March 2023 to the annual spend for the financial year ended March 2026, diesel expenditure reduced by R23.0 billion.
Today’s evening peak is forecast at 22 353MW, against available capacity of 25 278MW excluding gas.
Progress in Ending Load Reduction
Seven provinces continue to be free from load reduction as footprint falls to 1.42% of Eskom’s customer base
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 (DER), and the expansion of Free Basic Electricity (FBE) support.
These measures will be accompanied by targeted customer education initiatives.
Progress on Key Interventions
Figure 1. Load reduction: Eskom Load Reduction Progress by Province
Smart meter rollout:
To date, 526 689 smart meters have been installed on load reduction feeders, reaching approximately 91% of the 577 347 target for high-priority areas. Approximately 84% of these installations are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal, where pressure on the network is highest. The rollout remains focused on high-loss areas impacted by illegal connections, infrastructure overloading and electricity theft.
Despite ongoing stakeholder engagement, including work with ward councillors, public meetings and media platforms, resistance in some areas continues to affect progress. These include safety incidents, intimidation and work stoppages, resulting in delays, with more than 122 000 planned installations impacted to date.
Feeders removed from load reduction:
Seven of South Africa’s nine provinces have been completely removed from load reduction.
A total of 627 feeders has been removed from load reduction, representing approximately 62% of the 971 target.
- 163 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga (exceeding the target of 150), with both provinces achieving full elimination.
- 258 feeders in Gauteng (41.5% of the target of 604).
- 14 feeders in the Eastern and Western Cape (100% of the target), with both provinces achieving full elimination.
- 177 feeders in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (91.7% of the target of 193), with Free State province achieving full elimination.
- 15 feeders in the North West and Northern Cape (exceeding the target of 9), with both provinces achieving full elimination.
Customers benefiting:
An estimated 1 591 837 customers are no longer impacted by load reduction, representing approximately 94% of the 1.69 million customers targeted under the programme.
Free Basic Electricity (FBE):
A total of 561 229 customers are registered for FBE, reflecting approximately a 16% increase from the baseline of 485 000 customers. This represents approximately 27% of the 2.1 million eligible customers.
Eskom continues to strengthen the network through targeted interventions, technology deployment and community engagement.
Eskom is calling on all affected communities to partner with its teams to help accelerate the elimination of load reduction, in line with planned timelines or sooner where possible.
Customers are encouraged to report illegal connections and infrastructure damage 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 evening, 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, 13 November 2026, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.
ENDS
