Eskom Saves R16.69bn As Loadshedding Stays Suspended

Eskom confirms that loadshedding remains suspended, supported by a stable power system and healthy emergency reserves.

The utility remains on track to replenish reserves ahead of the next business week.

Significant diesel savings 

Since 1 April 2024, Eskom has saved R16.69 billion in diesel costs—a 55.7% reduction compared to the R29.98 billion spent during the same period last year. The suspension of loadshedding for 325 days (7,871 hours) has drastically improved electricity availability, which now stands at 98%, compared to just 9.6% last year.

Despite these gains, generation capacity remains tight, with Eskom maintaining high levels of planned maintenance, averaging 7,032MW in February. The focus is on improving fleet reliability ahead of high winter demand, while also ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements.

Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan, in place since March 2023, continues to drive efforts to return more units to service. As part of this plan, 3,610MW will be restored before the evening peak on Monday, 3 March 2025.

Eskom’s system performance and outages

As of today:

• Unplanned outages: 14,534MW
• Available generation capacity: 27,347MW
• Forecasted peak demand: 25,225MW

Between 21 and 27 February 2025, unplanned outages averaged 14,504MW, reflecting a slight improvement of 194MW over the same period last year. However, the delayed return of five units (totalling 2,800MW) temporarily increased pressure on the grid. Three of these units are now back in service, contributing 1,500MW to the system.

Improved Energy Availability and Efficiency

Eskom continues to make year-on-year improvements in its operational performance:

• Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF): 25.48%, down from 32.45% last year (~7% improvement)
• Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF): 12.7%, slightly higher than last year’s 11.85%
• Energy Availability Factor (EAF): 61.26%, up from 54.57% last year (~6.7% improvement)

While weekly EAF dipped from 57.0% at the start of the financial year to 55.03% (21–27 Feb 2025), overall year-to-date performance remains strong.

Optimised use of Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs)

Eskom has spent R13.29 billion on fuel for the OCGT fleet (both Eskom- and IPP-owned), keeping spending below budget. This has generated 2,195.94GWh of electricity—less than half of last year’s 4,724.42GWh.

Key OCGT performance indicators:

• OCGT load factor (21–27 Feb 2025): 37.83% (up from 17.96% last year)
• OCGT load factor (year-to-date): 8.05% (down from 17.32% last year)

Public Cooperation and Security Measures

Eskom urges South Africans to help protect the grid by:

•  Avoiding illegal connections
• Purchasing electricity only from accredited vendors
• Reporting electricity theft via the Eskom Crime Line (0800 112 722) or WhatsApp (081 333 3323)