Eskom continues to meet peak winter demand and deliver sustained energy security as a result of the focus on operational and financial sustainability as the turnaround plan progresses. These achievements reflect Eskom’s progressive shift from recovery to reliability and sustainability, with the year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) reaching 67.55%, the strongest performance in the last six years, ensuring sufficient capacity to meet demand even when rooftop solar output was constrained.
A further milestone has been reached, with the Eastern Cape becoming the seventh province to achieve load reduction-free status, surpassing Eskom’s October 2026 target and marking another major milestone in the Load Reduction Eradication Programme. Approximately 1.2 million customers, representing 71% of the 1.69 million customers originally affected, have been removed from load reduction schedules.
Consequently, the proportion of Eskom customers impacted by load reduction has fallen from a peak of 23.5% to approximately 6.8%. Eskom continues to implement targeted interventions in the remaining load reduction affected areas of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal and remains on track to eliminate load reduction nationwide by 2027.
Meanwhile, Eskom has mobilised additional teams and resources to restore electricity supply to areas affected by severe weather conditions in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Free State. Restoration efforts are progressing where conditions are safe and access to infrastructure is possible. Heavy rainfall, snowfall, strong winds and extreme cold have damaged electricity infrastructure, caused network faults and hindered access to some affected areas.
The financial year-to-date (1 April to 13 August 2026) EAF has improved to 67.55%, a 7.35% improvement from the 60.2% achieved during the corresponding period last year. This is the highest financial year-to-date EAF achieved since 25 October 2020, reflecting the impact of sustained operational improvements and structural interventions implemented across the generation fleet.
Compared with the same period three years ago, Eskom’s EAF has improved by 12.1%, returning approximately 6.1GW of generating capacity to the grid. Notably, more than 71% of the coal fleet is currently operating at EAF levels between 71% and 93%.
The sustained improvement in plant performance is also reflected in the declining levels of unplanned outages. Together, these achievements have strengthened system reliability, supported a stable electricity supply, and enabled South Africa to meet increased winter demand while maintaining energy security.
Between 7 and 13 August 2026, average unplanned outages declined to 6 653MW from 11 982MW in the corresponding period last year, a reduction of 5 329MW or 44.5%. This improvement is nearly equivalent to the combined generating capacity of Camden and Kriel power stations. The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) improved significantly from 25.11% to 14.07%, reflecting sustained operational gains and progressive shift from recovery to reliability.
Between 7 and 13 August 2026, planned maintenance remains aligned with Eskom’s reliability and sustainability objectives, with the Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF) averaging 12.79%, higher than 11.40% in the corresponding period last year.
Eskom continues to maintain additional system capacity, with 3 363MW in cold reserve due to excess capacity, providing further assurance of system adequacy.
Diesel was deployed selectively during peak demand periods and to maintain required reserves in line with the South African Grid Code.
For the financial year to date (1 April to 13 August 2026), diesel expenditure stands at R989.88 million, compared with R5.89 billion over the same period last year. The Open-Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) load factor averaged 1.15%, down from 9.08% in the previous year, reflecting a significantly reduced reliance on diesel-powered generation.
This has translated into an 83.20% reduction in diesel expenditure and provides further evidence that sustained improvements in fleet performance are strengthening system reliability. The result is a more efficient, resilient and sustainable power system.
South Africa has recorded 455 consecutive days without loadshedding since 16 May 2025, delivering reliable electricity that powers homes, enables businesses to grow, and supports broader economic development. Year-to-date (1 April 2026 to 13 August 2026), demand was met 100% of the time.
Today’s evening peak is forecast at 27 177MW, against available capacity of 30 878MW. We are expecting 3 156MW to come back online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 17 August 2026.
Eskom’s Winter Outlook, published on 22 April 2026 for the period 1 April to 31 August 2026, continues to project no loadshedding.
Key Performance Highlights
- For the financial year to date (1 April to 13 August 2026), UCLF has reduced to 20.22%, which is 8.01% lower than the same period in the previous year.
- For the financial year to date (1 April to 13 August 2026), planned maintenance was at an average of 5 701MW, accounting for 12.06% of total generation capacity, higher than the 11.09% (5 208MW) over the same period in the previous year.
- Year-to-date (1 April to 13 August 2026), OCGT generation stands at 126.26GWh, approximately 87.32% lower than the corresponding period last year. The continued low utilisation of OCGTs reflects improved fleet performance and reduced reliance on diesel-fired generation to meet electricity demand.
- The financial year‑to‑date OCGT load factor stands at 1.15%, lower than the 9.08% recorded over the same period last year and well below the target annual load factor of 3%.
Progress in ending load reduction
Seven provinces are now load reduction-free, with over 1.2 million customers no longer impacted, representing approximately 71% of the households originally targeted for intervention.
Although the power system remains stable and generation capacity continues to exceed demand, illegal connections and meter tampering persist in certain localised areas, driving infrastructure damage and posing serious safety risks. Eskom continues to implement load reduction as a temporary, targeted 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 (DER), and the expansion of Free Basic Electricity (FBE) support.
These measures will be accompanied by targeted customer education initiatives.
Progress on Key Interventions
Smart meter rollout:
To date, 505 607 smart meters have been installed on load reduction feeders, reaching 87.5% of the 577 347 target for high-priority areas. Approximately 81% of these installations are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal, where network pressure is highest. The rollout remains focused on high-loss areas impacted by illegal connections, infrastructure overloading and electricity theft.
Despite ongoing stakeholder engagement, including work with ward councillors, public meetings and media platforms, resistance in some areas continues to affect progress. These include safety incidents, intimidation and work stoppages, resulting in delays, with over 122 000 planned installations impacted to date.
Feeders removed from load reduction:
Seven of South Africa’s nine provinces have been completely removed from load reduction.
A total of 566 feeders have been removed from load reduction, representing approximately 58% of the 971 target.
- 163 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga (exceeding the target of 150), with both provinces achieving full elimination.
- 244 feeders in Gauteng (40.4% of the target of 604).
- 14 feeders in the Eastern and Western Cape (100% of the target), with both provinces achieving full elimination.
- 130 feeders in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (67.4% of the target of 193), with the Free State achieving full elimination.
- 15 feeders in the North West and Northern Cape (exceeding the target of 9), with both provinces achieving full elimination.
Customers benefiting:
An estimated 1 204 634customers are no longer impacted by load reduction, representing approximately 71.% of the 1.69 million customers targeted under the programme. This includes 670 785 customers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga; 268 902 in Gauteng; 29 812 in the Eastern and Western Cape; 184 907 in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State; and 50 228 in the North West and Northern Cape.
Free Basic Electricity (FBE):
A total of 556 409 customers are registered for Free Basic Electricity, reflecting an approximately 15% increase from the baseline of 485 000. This represents approximately 28% of the 2.1 million eligible customers.
Eskom continues to strengthen the network through targeted interventions, technology deployment and community engagement.
Eskom is calling on all affected communities to partner with its teams to help accelerate the elimination of load reduction, in line with planned timelines or sooner where possible.
Customers are encouraged to report illegal connections and infrastructure damage 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 evening, providing a consolidated view of key areas of its 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, 21 August 2026, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.
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