The power utility said the year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) reached 67.55%, compared with 60.2% during the same period last year. The improvement represents the highest financial year-to-date performance recorded since October 2020 and reflects sustained operational improvements across the generation fleet.
According to Eskom, demand has been met consistently throughout the current financial year, with sufficient generating capacity available even during winter peak demand periods.
The utility said unplanned outages have also declined significantly. Between August 7-13, average unplanned outages fell to 6 653MW from 11 982MW during the corresponding period last year, a reduction of 44.5%.
Eskom attributed the improvement to better reliability across its coal-fired power stations, with more than 71% of the coal fleet currently operating at EAF levels between 71% and 93%.
The utility also reported a sharp decline in diesel usage. Diesel expenditure between April 1 and August 13 stood at $55 million compared with $328 million during the same period last year, representing a reduction of more than 83%.
Eskom said the lower spending reflects reduced reliance on diesel-powered Open-Cycle Gas Turbines as generating plant performance continues to improve.
Meanwhile, the utility has achieved another milestone in its programme to eliminate load reduction.
The Eastern Cape province has become the seventh province to achieve load reduction-free status, surpassing Eskom’s October 2026 target.
Approximately 1.2 million customers have now been removed from load reduction schedules, representing 71% of the 1.69 million customers initially targeted under the programme.
As a result, the proportion of Eskom customers affected by load reduction has declined from a peak of 23.5% to about 6.8%.
Eskom said seven of SA’s nine provinces are now completely free from load reduction. The remaining affected areas are located in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, where interventions continue.
The utility remains on track to eliminate load reduction nationally by 2027.
Efforts include the rollout of smart meters, expansion of Free Basic Electricity support and measures aimed at reducing illegal connections, electricity theft and infrastructure overloading.
To date, more than 505 000 smart meters have been installed in high-priority areas.
Eskom also confirmed that additional teams have been deployed to parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Free State province following severe weather that damaged electricity infrastructure. Restoration work is continuing where conditions are safe and access is available.
Looking ahead, Eskom said available capacity is expected to remain sufficient to meet demand, maintaining the utility’s forecast of no loadshedding throughout the remainder of the winter period.
–ChannelAfrica–
