Eskom continues to deliver a reliable and resilient electricity supply despite the slight increase in demand driven by cloudy weather conditions, supported by strengthened generation performance, increased available capacity and a reduction in reliance on emergency generation. The Generation Recovery Plan continues to yield positive outcomes, with the year-on-year Energy Availability Factor (EAF) increasing by 5.75% and a reduction of diesel expenditure by 89.76% year‑on‑year.
For the current financial year to date (1 to 16 April 2026), diesel expenditure is at R172.02 million, significantly lower than the R1.68 billion incurred in the same period last year, reflecting an 89.76% reduction year-on-year. This continued reduction demonstrates both the cost savings and the operational improvements achieved through Eskom’s ongoing turnaround efforts. Overall, this positive trend highlights the growing stability and efficiency of the power system.
For the financial year to date (1–16 April 2026), the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) stands at 61.81%, an improvement from 56.06% over the same period last year, despite increased maintenance since the start of the current financial year. This performance reflects sustained progress under Eskom’s turnaround strategy and represents a 4.14% improvement compared to the corresponding period two years ago. Over the past financial year (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026), the generation fleet achieved or exceeded the 70% EAF milestone on 83 occasions, underscoring continued operational stability and tangible performance gains.
Between 10 and 16 April 2026, average unplanned outages declined to 11 507MW, a reduction of 963MW compared to the 12 470MW recorded over the same period last year, contributing to a less constrained power grid.
Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), reflecting unplanned outages, was at 24.26%, representing a reduction of 1.94% compared to the 26.20% recorded during the same period last year, which further contributes towards available capacity.
During the same period, Eskom’s PCLF, which reflects planned maintenance, averaged 16.88%, higher than the 16.09% in the previous financial year, and is aligned with Eskom’s efforts to ensure environmental compliance, improve reliability, and support long‑term sustainability.
In addition, 1 295MW is currently in cold reserve due to excess capacity.
The use of diesel in the past week was to complete contractual performance testing requirements and to meet the reserve requirements, as specified in the South African grid code.
Since 16 May 2025, South Africa has achieved 336 consecutive days without an interruption in electricity supply, approximately 98.9% availability. Supply interruptions during this period were limited to just 26 hours across four days in April and May 2025, underscoring the strength and reliability of the power system.
Eskom confirms that the Summer Outlook published on 5 September 2025 has been successfully realised. For the period from 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026, South Africa experienced no loadshedding, reflecting sustained improvements in plant performance delivered through the Generation Recovery Plan.
The power system status and Winter Outlook media briefing has now been confirmed for 22 April 2026.
To further ensure a stable electricity supply, Eskom will bring 2 451MW of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 20 April 2026. Today’s evening peak demand is forecast at 23 196MW, with 27 093MW of available capacity, providing a healthy reserve margin above current demand.
Key Performance Highlights
- For the financial year-to-date, the UCLF decreased to 21.52%, well below last year’s 28.02%.
- For the financial year to date, planned maintenance was at an average of 7 800MW, accounting for 16.5% of total generation capacity, higher than the 15.41% over the same period in the previous year.
- For the current financial year-to-date (1 to 16 April 2026), Eskom generated 20.676GWh from OCGT plants at a diesel cost of R172.02 million. This is significantly lower than the 281.89GWh generated during the same period last year (1 to 16 April 2025), which resulted in costs of R1.68 billion.
- The year-to-date OCGT load factor is at 1.59%, significantly lower than the 21.69% recorded during the same period in the previous year and remains below the set target.
Progress in ending load reduction: 342 701 customers no longer affected during peak periods, and smart meter rollout ongoing
Although the power system remains stable and generation capacity continues to exceed demand, illegal connections and meter tampering persist, causing infrastructure damage and posing serious safety risks. In response, Eskom continues to implement load reduction as a temporary 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, and the expansion of Free Basic Electricity support. These measures will be accompanied by targeted customer education initiatives.
Progress on key interventions
- Smart Meter Rollout:
Over 600 000 smart meters (632 948) have now been deployed across the country as part of Eskom’s ongoing infrastructure upgrade, with 250 181 of these units specifically targeted at load reduction feeders. This 42% allocation to high-priority areas is essential for managing grid pressure while empowering our customers with real-time data and greater control over their energy usage.
Of the 250 181 smart meters installed on load reduction feeders, approximately 91% are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu‑Natal, where network risk is highest.
Eskom is intensifying efforts on its phased programme to eliminate load reduction, aiming for full smart meter installation on affected feeders by 2027.
The rollout is deliberately focused on high-loss areas affected by illegal connections, meter bypassing, overloaded infrastructure and widespread electricity theft. Eskom has undertaken extensive community and stakeholder engagement through ward councillors, public meetings, radio platforms and social media to support the implementation of the programme.
Despite these efforts, installation teams continue to face persistent resistance, including intimidation, violent incidents and repeated work stoppages. These disruptions have led to deployment delays, the redeployment of teams, and heightened safety risks for Eskom employees and contractors.
As a result, approximately 122 000 planned meter conversions have been delayed to-date, undermining the stability and predictability of the rollout programme.
- Feeders Removed from Load Reduction:
The total number of feeders removed from load reduction is 211. This includes:
- 37 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga (100% of the target of 37),
- 51 in Gauteng (40% of the target of 126),
- 10 in the Eastern and Western Cape (67% of the target of 15), with the Western Cape achieving 100% of its target.
- 101 in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (104%, which is 3% above the target of 94),
- 12 in the North West and Northern Cape (133% of the target of 9).
Nationally, 211 feeders have been removed from load reduction, representing approximately 78% of the feeders identified for removal in the first phase of implementation.
- Customers benefiting from the elimination of the load reduction programme:
With the feeders removed from load reduction to date, an estimated 342 701 customers are now benefiting, comprising 111 519 in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 69 160 in Gauteng, 12 422 in the Eastern and Western Cape, 111 643 in KwaZulu-Natal and Free State and 37 957 in the North West and Northern Cape. The remaining customers still due for load‑reduction removal by financial year‑end are 122 817 in both Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 76 322 in Gauteng, 13 080 in both the Eastern and Western Cape, 16 203 in the Free State and KwaZulu‑Natal, and 6 224 in the Northern Cape and North West provinces.
- Free Basic Electricity (FBE):
Nationally, registrations are at 569 008 customers. The FBE beneficiaries figure fluctuates monthly.The 569 008 figure reflects a 17.32% increase from the baseline of 485 000 customers and represents about 28% of the 2.1 million eligible customers.
Eskom is harnessing technology, upgrading infrastructure, and partnering with communities to ensure a safer, smarter, and more reliable power network for South Africa.
Eskom calls on communities to report illegal connections, use electricity responsibly, and protect infrastructure. Any illegal activity affecting Eskom’s infrastructure can be reported 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, providing a consolidated view of key areas of its generation 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, 24 April 2026, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.
About Eskom and Electricity – Power Plants: Eskom operates over 27 power stations.
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