Eskom, the country’s power producer, this weekend reported sustained improvements in grid performance and operational efficiency under its Generation Recovery Plan.
The utility confirmed that the Open-Cycle Gas Turbine load factor dropped to 0.0001%, from 0.23% the previous week, reflecting significant efficiency gains. The year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) rose to 63.06%, slightly higher than last year’s 63.02%.
Between October 1 and October 30, 2025, the EAF reached 65.9%, compared to 62.24% in the same period last year, an improvement of 3.66%, driven by reduced unplanned outages and additional generation capacity.
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 1 was reconnected to the national grid on Wednesday after major maintenance. With both units now online, producing a combined output of more than 1 860MW, the plant has bolstered SA’s 24-hour baseload capacity and strengthened overall energy security.
Eskom also reported a sharp reduction in diesel use. Year-to-date spending on diesel remains below budget, indicating reduced reliance on costly generation methods.
The Unplanned Capability Loss Factor declined to 21.78% in October, down from 24.51% last year, while the Planned Capacity Loss Factor improved slightly to 12.01%. Between October 24 and October 30, unplanned outages averaged 8 768MW, a reduction of 1 069MW year-on-year.
Eskom has now maintained 168 consecutive days without loadshedding, with only 26 hours recorded during April and May of this financial year. To sustain reliability, 2 400MW of generation capacity is scheduled to return to service before the evening peak on November 3, 2025.
Eskom’s Summer Outlook, released on September 5, projects no loadshedding through March 2026, supported by ongoing recovery efforts.
The utility also reaffirmed its goal to eliminate load reduction by 2027, citing progress in expanding Free Basic Electricity access, installing smart meters, and deploying distributed energy resources to stabilise the grid and protect communities from infrastructure damage.
–ChannelAfrica–
