Eskom’s Generation Fleet Gains Strength as Load Shedding Remains at Bay
Viable News Team 
Eskom has reported significant progress in the performance of its generation fleet, with over half of its coal-fired power stations now operating at an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) above 70%, and three stations performing above the 90% mark. This marks a promising turn in the country’s ongoing energy recovery efforts.
In a statement released on Sunday, the utility confirmed that South Africa has not experienced load shedding since May, a development credited to improved plant performance, reduced unplanned outages, and a strategic use of emergency reserves.
“The power system continues to operate reliably, supported by an improved Energy Availability Factor, which reflects progress in plant performance and enables Eskom to meet winter electricity demand effectively,” Eskom said.
Generation Capacity Strengthens
As of Friday, Eskom reported that unplanned outages have dropped to 8,525MW, the lowest recorded level in recent history. This narrowly surpasses the previous record of 8,258MW set in October 2024. Current generation capacity now stands at 30,882MW, and Eskom is expected to return an additional 3,075MW to the grid within the next week.
Between 1 April and 31 July 2025, the Unplanned Capability Loss Factor (UCLF) a metric indicating the percentage of lost generation due to unplanned outages fell to 28.58%, showing a week-on-week improvement of about 0.4%. On Thursday, this figure dipped even further to 19.94%, a notable milestone in Eskom’s pursuit of reliability.
Winter Outlook: Steady for Now
With just 30 days remaining in Eskom’s winter outlook period, the utility is optimistic. The outlook indicates that load shedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages remain below 13,000MW. Should outages rise to 15,000MW, the worst-case scenario would be a limited 21 days of Stage 2 load shedding out of the 153-day period.
This performance stands in contrast to previous years, where persistent Stage 4 and Stage 6 load shedding caused widespread frustration and economic strain. Industry stakeholders and energy experts have cautiously welcomed the development, noting that while short-term improvements are evident, long-term energy security requires continued investment and structural reform.
Despite these gains, Eskom acknowledges that challenges remain. The EAF, while improved, is still recovering from years of under-maintenance, mismanagement, and sabotage. The power utility has emphasized its focus on preventative maintenance and targeted interventions to sustain these improvements throughout the remainder of the year.
Energy analyst Ted Blom recently commented that although Eskom’s figures are promising, “the public must remain vigilant and demand transparency to ensure that these performance improvements are not only seasonal but sustainable.”
A Turning Point?
Eskom’s recent performance could signal a turning point in the country’s energy crisis, especially as the state-owned utility continues its restructuring and transition towards cleaner energy sources under South Africa’s Just Energy Transition plan.
Should this trajectory continue, South Africans may begin to enjoy more consistent electricity supply and less disruption offering renewed hope to businesses, households, and the broader economy.
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