“Eskom says improved power-station performance has helped South Africa maintain an extended period without load-shedding, with the utility reporting a financial-year-to-date energy availability factor of 68.2%, additional generation capacity returned to service and a substantial reduction in diesel expenditure. The utility also reports progress in reducing electricity load reduction, although infrastructure constraints, maintenance requirements, electricity affordability and an incident involving Koeberg Unit 1 remain important considerations.”
Eskom’s Improving Performance Signals Progress for South Africa’s Electricity Supply, but Challenges Remain
Introduction: A significant development for the electricity sector
South Africa’s electricity sector is showing signs of operational improvement, according to an update published by the South African Government News Agency, SAnews, on 19 October 2026. Eskom reports stronger power-station performance, improved energy availability and lower spending on diesel-powered emergency electricity generation, developments that could support economic activity and improve the reliability of the national electricity supply.
The update is significant because electricity reliability remains closely connected to South Africa’s economic prospects. Manufacturers, mining companies, retailers, agricultural producers and small businesses all depend on predictable electricity supplies to maintain operations, manage costs and serve customers. Households also rely on electricity for cooking, refrigeration, lighting, communications and other essential activities.
However, improvements in generation performance do not automatically resolve every challenge in the electricity sector. Affordability, ageing infrastructure, maintenance requirements, electricity distribution problems and the transition towards cleaner energy remain central issues for policymakers and the industry.
Energy availability reaches a six-year high
One of the most important figures in Eskom’s latest update is its reported energy availability factor, or EAF, of 68.2% for the financial year to date. According to the utility, this is its highest financial-year-to-date level in six years.
The energy availability factor measures the proportion of a power station’s capacity that is available to generate electricity over a particular period. It is an important indicator of the performance and reliability of a generation fleet.
When more generating capacity is available, the electricity system generally has greater flexibility to meet demand. Conversely, when numerous generating units are unavailable because of breakdowns or maintenance, the system has fewer resources to respond to unexpected increases in consumption.
Eskom attributes its improved performance to ongoing operational interventions under its Generation Recovery Plan. The programme focuses on improving plant reliability, reducing unplanned outages and returning generating capacity to service.
The utility reports that its EAF has improved by 12.8 percentage points compared with the corresponding period three years earlier, returning approximately 6,536 megawatts of generating capacity to the grid. These figures indicate a substantial improvement in the amount of generating capacity available to the electricity system.
Nevertheless, the EAF should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every power station is operating reliably or that electricity prices will automatically decline. The measure provides an important indication of generating availability, but the overall electricity system also depends on transmission capacity, distribution networks, fuel supplies and changing demand.
Fewer unplanned outages support electricity security
Another significant development is the reported reduction in unplanned outages.
Eskom says unplanned outages improved by 6.67% year on year for the financial year to date, equivalent to approximately 3,001MW of generating capacity returned to service. Its separate performance update also records substantial improvements in unplanned outages during the week ending 15 October 2026.
Unplanned outages occur when generating units become unavailable unexpectedly. These failures can result from equipment defects, boiler problems, turbine faults, electrical failures or other operational issues.
When several large units fail simultaneously, the utility may struggle to meet demand without drawing on emergency resources. Historically, such pressures have contributed to load-shedding, which involves deliberately interrupting electricity supply to manage shortages.
Reducing unexpected failures allows Eskom to plan generation more effectively and preserve emergency capacity for periods when demand is especially high.
However, reliability improvements require continued investment and disciplined maintenance. Power stations contain complex mechanical and electrical systems that must be inspected, repaired and upgraded. Deferring essential maintenance can create short-term operational gains but may increase the risk of more serious failures later.
Consequently, a sustainable improvement in electricity supply requires Eskom to balance the immediate need for available generation with the long-term maintenance of its infrastructure.
More than 500 days without load-shedding
The latest government report highlights an extended period without load-shedding. Its headline states that Eskom has recorded 520 days without implementing load-shedding, while the article text refers to 518 consecutive days since 16 May 2025. These figures are inconsistent, so the precise day count should be confirmed with Eskom before republication as a definitive statistic.
Regardless of the discrepancy, the central development is the reported continuation of electricity supply without national load-shedding over an extended period.
For businesses, this can improve operational planning. Companies may be better able to schedule production, manage staffing and meet delivery deadlines when they do not have to prepare for repeated scheduled electricity interruptions.
Small enterprises can benefit particularly from greater predictability. Hair salons, restaurants, workshops, internet-based businesses and convenience stores often face additional expenses when they must operate generators or install backup batteries.
Households may also benefit from reduced disruption to everyday routines, although reliable national generation does not necessarily mean every household receives uninterrupted electricity.
Local faults, overloaded distribution networks, illegal connections, damaged cables and municipal maintenance problems can still cause outages. The restoration of electricity following local infrastructure failures remains a separate responsibility from preventing national load-shedding.
The extended period without load-shedding is therefore an encouraging development, but the next challenge is to establish whether the improvement can be maintained through periods of higher demand, scheduled maintenance and unexpected equipment failures.
Lower diesel expenditure provides financial relief
Improved generation performance has also reduced Eskom’s reliance on diesel-fired open-cycle gas turbines, commonly known as OCGTs.
According to the utility, year-to-date diesel expenditure declined by R4.87 billion to R1.18 billion, compared with R6.05 billion over the corresponding period in the previous year.
OCGTs can respond relatively quickly when the electricity system requires additional generating capacity. They are useful during emergencies and peak-demand periods, but diesel-powered generation can be expensive compared with generating electricity from other available sources.
Lower diesel expenditure can therefore ease operational cost pressures and reduce dependence on emergency generation.
Nevertheless, reduced diesel spending should not be confused with a guaranteed reduction in electricity tariffs. Electricity prices are influenced by numerous factors, including maintenance expenditure, fuel costs, capital investment, financing, transmission infrastructure and regulatory decisions.
The financial benefits of improved performance will need to be assessed alongside Eskom’s broader operating costs and investment requirements.
The long-term objective should be to maintain reliable electricity generation while managing the total cost of supplying power to households and businesses.
Progress in addressing electricity load reduction
Eskom’s latest update also discusses its efforts to eliminate load reduction by 2027.
Load reduction differs from national load-shedding. It is used in areas where distribution infrastructure faces a risk of overloading, including locations affected by illegal connections and electricity theft.
The utility reports that the number of customers affected by load reduction has fallen from approximately 1.69 million to 193,556, an 88.6% reduction. It says seven provinces have achieved full elimination, while remaining impacts are concentrated in selected areas of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
This distinction is important because a country can avoid national load-shedding while some communities continue to experience electricity interruptions.
For affected households, load reduction can disrupt education, cooking, refrigeration, remote work and access to digital services. Businesses may also experience lost revenue and higher operating costs.
Eskom identifies smart-meter installations as an important part of its response. The utility reports that 521,453 smart meters have been installed on load-reduction feeders, representing approximately 90% of its target of 577,347 installations in high-priority areas.
Smart meters can help utilities monitor electricity consumption, identify irregular usage and manage network demand more effectively. However, their effectiveness depends on appropriate installation, functioning communications systems, maintenance and public cooperation.
The programme also faces implementation challenges. Eskom says resistance, safety incidents, intimidation and work stoppages have delayed planned installations in some areas.
Achieving lasting improvements will require cooperation among the utility, municipalities, communities and law-enforcement authorities where criminal activity damages infrastructure. Better electricity access must also be accompanied by efforts to address illegal connections safely and improve the resilience of local distribution networks.
Koeberg Unit 1 highlights the importance of safety
The update also addresses an incident involving Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.
Eskom says an electrical protection system associated with Unit 1 operated during testing connected with the planned maintenance outage of Unit 2. The protection system automatically disconnected Unit 1 from the grid, and engineering teams began investigating the cause and identifying any necessary corrective action.
The utility stated that there were no nuclear safety concerns associated with the event and that all nuclear safety systems remained operational.
The incident illustrates the importance of protection systems in electricity generation. These systems are designed to detect abnormal conditions and isolate equipment when required, helping prevent faults from escalating into more serious events.
Nuclear facilities require particularly rigorous operating procedures, maintenance standards and independent oversight because their safe operation involves risks that extend beyond electricity production.
The event should not be interpreted as evidence of a nuclear emergency. Equally, the utility’s reassurance does not remove the need for appropriate investigation, documentation and corrective action.
Transparent reporting is essential for maintaining public confidence and ensuring that operational incidents are properly understood.
The wider challenge: Affordability, investment and cleaner energy
Although stronger generation performance is encouraging, South Africa’s energy policy must address more than the immediate availability of electricity.
One continuing concern is affordability. Businesses need electricity prices that allow them to remain competitive, while households require reliable power that does not consume an excessive share of their income.
Another challenge is transmission infrastructure. Additional generation capacity can only deliver its full economic value if the electricity can be transported from power stations and renewable-energy facilities to consumers.
South Africa’s energy transition also requires investment in solar power, wind energy, storage systems and a more flexible transmission network. Renewable energy can diversify electricity supply, but its integration requires careful planning, sufficient grid capacity and resources capable of balancing fluctuations in generation.
Eskom’s improved existing generation performance and the development of additional energy sources should therefore be considered complementary priorities rather than competing objectives.
A reliable electricity system needs a balanced approach that includes maintaining existing assets, developing new capacity, modernising networks and ensuring that investment decisions provide value over the long term.
Economic implications for South Africa
A more dependable electricity supply could strengthen confidence among domestic and international investors.
Mining and manufacturing operations require significant amounts of electricity. Unreliable supply can interrupt production, damage equipment and increase costs. More predictable electricity availability can help businesses use their existing facilities more effectively and make investment decisions with greater confidence.
Small businesses may also benefit from fewer interruptions and reduced dependence on costly backup systems. Improved reliability can support employment, productivity and the delivery of essential services.
However, electricity improvements alone cannot guarantee faster economic growth. Investment, skills development, transport infrastructure, demand, trade conditions and broader economic policy also influence business performance.
The extent of the economic benefit will depend on whether stronger generation performance is sustained and whether electricity remains affordable and accessible.
Conclusion: Sustaining the improvement
Eskom’s 19 October 2026 update presents encouraging signs for South Africa’s electricity sector. The reported EAF of 68.2%, improvements in unplanned outages, lower diesel expenditure and progress in reducing load reduction suggest that operational interventions are producing measurable results.
However, the long-term test is whether these gains can be maintained while the utility completes essential maintenance, strengthens infrastructure and manages the financial demands of a changing electricity system.
For households, the priority is reliable and affordable electricity. For businesses, it is predictable supply and manageable operating costs. For the government and energy industry, it is building a system capable of supporting economic growth while meeting future environmental and infrastructure requirements.
The reported absence of load-shedding is an important milestone, but it should be treated as progress rather than the end of South Africa’s energy challenges. Sustained reliability, transparent reporting, effective investment and stronger distribution networks will determine whether the present improvements translate into lasting benefits for the country.
