“Eskom has reported its highest Energy Availability Factor in six years, reaching 67.96% year-to-date and 72.74% during mid-September, signaling improved reliability across its generation fleet. The utility has also cut diesel expenditure by R4.8 billion and maintained 490 consecutive days without national load shedding, reflecting a significant recovery in South Africa’s electricity system.”
South Africa’s energy sector has long been plagued by instability, rolling blackouts, and financial strain. However, Eskom’s latest performance metrics reveal a remarkable turnaround. With the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) climbing to its highest level in six years and the country experiencing nearly 500 days without load shedding, the utility is signaling a new era of stability and efficiency. This achievement is not only a technical milestone but also a financial and environmental victory, reshaping the narrative around South Africa’s power generation.
Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor
The EAF, a critical measure of how much of Eskom’s generation fleet is available to produce electricity, reached 67.96% for the financial year-to-date ending September 17, 2026. During the week of September 11–17, the figure peaked at 72.74%, underscoring the utility’s improved reliability. Compared to three years ago, Eskom has restored approximately 6,202 MW of generation capacity to the national grid, a significant boost to supply security.
Financial Impact
One of the most striking outcomes of Eskom’s recovery is the dramatic reduction in diesel expenditure. From April to mid-September, spending on diesel-powered open-cycle gas turbines fell from R5.93 billion in 2025 to R1.13 billion in 2026, saving the utility R4.8 billion. This reduction reflects fewer emergency interventions and a more stable generation fleet, freeing resources for long-term investments.
Reliability and Load Shedding
South Africa has now gone 490 consecutive days without national load shedding, a record that highlights the success of Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan. Unplanned outages declined to 6,904 MW, down from 7,388 MW a year earlier. This improvement has allowed Eskom to shift focus from crisis management to long-term reliability, ensuring consistent supply for households and industries.
Environmental Gains
Eskom’s environmental performance has also improved. Particulate matter emissions were measured at 0.32 kg per megawatt-hour, outperforming annual targets. These gains are attributed to operational improvements across power stations, signaling progress toward cleaner energy production.
Social Impact
Beyond technical and financial improvements, Eskom’s efforts to eliminate load reduction have restored normal supply to 1.4 million customers, representing 86% of its target. Seven provinces are now free from load reduction, and over 513,000 smart meters have been installed to modernize the grid.
Strategic Implications
While Eskom’s turnaround is significant, experts caution that surplus generation capacity does not eliminate the need for structural reforms. With available capacity at 27,500 MW and evening demand at 22,000 MW, South Africa must now focus on grid modernization, storage solutions, and competitive electricity markets. The shift from scarcity to surplus changes the investment case, favoring renewable projects with storage and flexible generation.
Conclusion
Eskom’s strongest generation performance in six years marks a pivotal moment for South Africa’s energy sector. Reduced reliance on diesel, improved reliability, and extended periods without load shedding demonstrate that the utility is on a path toward stability. However, the future will depend on how effectively South Africa leverages this recovery to modernize its grid, diversify energy sources, and build a competitive electricity market.
