241 days without blackouts – is this the end of loadshedding in South Africa?
Power utility Eskom says South Africa has entered 2026 with its most stable and reliable electricity system in five years.
Image: File: Timothy Bernard/ Independent Newspapers
Power utility Eskom says South Africa has entered 2026 with its most stable and reliable electricity system in five years.
The utility, which has in the past faced widespread criticism over persistent load-shedding, said it has added 4,400 megawatts of capacity, improved maintenance across its coal fleet, and reduced emergency outages through its multi-year Generation Recovery Plan
Last week, Eskom reported that the country had gone 238 consecutive days without load-shedding. As of today, that streak has grown to 241 days.
"The results of Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan that commenced in April 2023 have enabled South Africa to return from the holiday break to a structurally stronger system entering 2026 than in five years, with an additional 4,400MW of capacity available compared to this time last year" Eskom said
"Stability is reflected not only in terms of structural improvements in the generation fleet, but in fewer emergency interventions and improved maintenance discipline"
According to the utility, key improvements include:
- Energy Availability Factor (EAF): Rose from 56% to 64.5%.
- Unplanned outages (UCLF): Fell from 31.9% to 16%.
- Planned maintenance (PCLF): Trending toward global best practice.
- Reduced diesel use: Savings of around R16 billion due to more reliable coal generation.
- Investor confidence: Contributed to South Africa’s first credit rating upgrade in two decades.
Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said the improvements were the result of “short-term pain for long-term gain.
"The big picture through the peaks and troughs of delivering the Generation Recovery Plan is that Eskom has moved from a heavily constrained power system to an increasingly stable one, a power system that can reliably deliver 24/7, 365 baseload power. We will now maintain and build upon these early gains through a rigorous focus on operational reliability and sustainability," Marokane said.
The utility also also said that the passage of the Eskom Debt Relief Act in 2023 provided R254 billion, significantly reducing financial pressure on its balance sheet. This funding allowed Eskom to make vital investments and carry out planned and preventative maintenance.
"The impact of Eskom’s improved performance has contributed towards South Africa receiving its first credit rating upgrade in two decades and the risk rating associated with Eskom’s 2033 bonds has dropped, providing early indicators to investors warming to the turnaround.”
However, critics have warned that as the government pushes ahead with plans to retire ageing coal plants and accelerate the transition to renewable energy, Eskom will face might ongoing challenges in maintaining the current level of reliability.
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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