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Eskom continues to sustain improvements in generation performance, with the financial year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) at 68.1%, supporting a progressive shift from recovery to reliability and sustainability. Compared with three years ago, improved generation performance represents approximately 6 424MW of additional available generation capacity. This stronger performance has reduced reliance on diesel-fired Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), contributing to a R4.81 billion year-on-year reduction in diesel expenditure. At the same time, the number of customers affected by load reduction has declined by 88.6%, as Eskom advances towards its March 2027 eradication target.
Unplanned outages have improved by 6.89% year-on-year, representing approximately 3 115MW of generation capacity returned to service compared with the corresponding period last year. Over the past three years, average unplanned outages have declined by 7 064MW, from 16 172MW to 9 108MW.
Improved generation performance has significantly reduced reliance on diesel-fired Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs). Year-to-date diesel expenditure has decreased by R4.81 billion, or 79.20%, to R1.26 billion, compared with R6.07 billion over the corresponding period last year.
These improvements, driven by the Generation Recovery Plan, have contributed to South Africa recording 525 consecutive days without loadshedding since 16 May 2025.
Eskom currently has 4 961MW of available generation capacity above current demand requirements, providing additional capacity to support electricity demand and economic activity.
Eskom continues to sustain its year-to-date relative particulate emissions performance within the target of 0.35kg/MWhSO, maintaining the improved environmental performance achieved since October 2025. The sustained performance complements ongoing improvements in generation reliability as Eskom continues to strengthen environmental performance across its generation fleet.
At Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, Unit 1 was successfully resynchronised to the national grid at 12:02 on 20 October 2026 following the completion of required recovery activities. The unit is stable, with power generation being progressively increased to full capacity in accordance with standard operating procedures. The shutdown occurred on 16 October 2026 during maintenance testing activities on Unit 2, when an electrical disturbance resulted in the operation of protection systems and the automatic opening of a circuit breaker on Unit 1. Investigations confirmed that conservative protection relay settings contributed to the protection response. The protection systems operated as designed and performed their intended function of protecting plant equipment and maintaining nuclear safety. No nuclear safety concerns arose from the event.
Progress towards eradicating load reduction by March 2027 also continues, with approximately 1.5 million previously affected customers restored to normal electricity supply. The number of customers affected by load reduction has declined from approximately 1.69 million to 193 556, an 88.6% reduction. Seven provinces have been free from load reduction, with the remaining impact confined to selected areas in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Approximately 80% of customers previously affected in these two provinces have been restored to normal supply, while the remaining 193 556 affected customers represent approximately 2.7% of Eskom’s customer base. Targeted interventions continue in the remaining communities as Eskom advances towards its March 2027 eradication target.
The sustained improvement in generation availability, declining unplanned outages, lower diesel expenditure and substantial reduction in load reduction demonstrate continued progress in strengthening Eskom’s operational performance. The focus is now on sustaining these gains and progressively shifting from recovery to reliability and sustainability, while supporting a reliable electricity supply for 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 16 and 22 October 2026, EAF was lower compared to the same period last year, at 64.84% compared to 65.81%.
- The financial year-to-date (1 April to 22 October 2026) EAF has improved to 68.1%, a 5.60% improvement from the 62.48% 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 12.47%, returning approximately 6 424MW of generating capacity to the grid. Notably, 71% of the coal fleet is currently operating at EAF levels between 60% and 98%.
Unplanned Outages (Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor – UCLF
- Between 16 and 22 October 2026, the UCLF improved slightly from 22.01% in the corresponding period last year to 21.98%, reflecting sustained operational gains and a progressive shift from recovery to reliability.
- For the financial year-to-date (1 April to 22 October 2026), UCLF has reduced to 18.98%, which is 6.58% lower than the same period in the previous year.
- Average unplanned outages have been reduced by 7 064MW over the past three years, declining from 16 172MW to 9 108MW.
Planned Maintenance (Planned Capacity Loss Factor – PCLF)
- Between 16 and 22 October 2026, planned maintenance remains aligned with Eskom’s reliability and sustainability objectives, with the PCLF averaging 13.14%, significantly higher than 11.84% recorded in the corresponding period last year.
- For the financial year-to-date (1 April to 22 October 2026), planned maintenance was at an average of 6 074MW, accounting for 12.77% of total generation capacity, higher than the 11.48% (5 389MW) recorded over the same period in the previous year.
- Three years ago, planned maintenance was at an average of 4 552MW, accounting for 9.75% of total generation capacity.
Diesel Usage
- Between 16 and 22 October 2026, diesel was strategically deployed during peak demand periods and to maintain required reserves in line with the South African Grid Code.
- For the financial year-to-date (1 April to 22 October 2026), OCGT generation was 163.89GWh, approximately 83.99% 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 0.98%, lower than the 6.15% 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 23 349MW, against available capacity of 26 900MW excluding gas.
Progress in Ending Load Reduction
Load reduction footprint narrows to just 2.7% of Eskom’s customer base, with 193 556 customers still affected as seven provinces remain unaffected and 89% of targeted customers return to normal supply.
Figure 1: Load Reduction status per province
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
Smart meter rollout:
To date, 524 375 smart meters have been installed on load reduction feeders, reaching approximately 91% of the 577 347 target for high-priority areas. Approximately 83% 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 600 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.
- 150 feeders in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (77.7% of the target of 193), with the Free State 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 1 496 444 customers are no longer impacted by load reduction, representing approximately 89% of the 1.69 million customers targeted under the programme. This includes 670 785 customers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga; 502 277 in Gauteng; 29 812 in the Eastern and Western Cape; 243 342 in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State; and 50 228 in the North West and Northern Cape.
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, 30 October 2026, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.
SOURCED FROM ESKOM WEBSITE.