Eskom promises no load-shedding for South Africa

Eskom’s Summer Outlook forecasts no load-shedding for September 2025 through March 2026, as the utility’s recovery remains firmly on track.

On Friday, 5 September, Eskom presented its Summer Outlook for 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026.

This outlook showed the significant strides Eskom has made over the past year, as the utility forecast no load-shedding for summer 2025/26, a notable recovery from the summer of 2024/25’s 13 days of blackouts.

In winter 2025, Eskom has to implement only 26 hours of loadshedding across four evenings, successfully supplying electricity 97% of the time to support South Africa’s economy. 

This summer represents an even greater improvement compared with the 176 days of loadshedding during the 2023/24 summer, when electricity was available only 17% of the time.

The utility said this performance reflects the progress of Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan and deliberate intensified maintenance resulting in continued improvements in plant performance.

“Compared with the commencement of last summer of 2024/25, supply and demand interventions at this comparative time have added ~4,000MW of extra capacity to meet expected demand this summer,” Eskom said.

It explained that the Summer Outlook is supported by an ongoing recovery and structural improvements in Eskom’s generation fleet, which result from the focused implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan.

Through this plan, Eskom has restored 7,800 MW of capacity since 2023, including 1,400 MW from Medupi Unit 4 and Kusile Unit 6 added this year.

The utility also reduced around 1,900 MW in peak planned maintenance this summer, following the completion of major planned outages during 2024 and early 2025, allowing for smoother execution.

Eskom’s energy availability factor (EAF) has also increased from 55% in 2023/24 to 60.6% in 2025/26, with the year-to-date EAF at 61.1%. This reflects a 6.1% improvement over the past two years. 

The utility’s diesel generator expenditure also reduced from R33 billion in its financial year ended 31 March 2024 to about R17 billion in its 2025 financial year.

Eskom bouncing back

Eskom’s progress is expected to continue as an additional 930 MW of capacity is expected from Koeberg Unit 1 when it returns to service following long-term operation maintenance in September 2025.

“This positive projected load-shedding-free Summer Outlook is the result of the progress achieved through the expertise and dedication of the Eskom Guardians over the past three years and the associated support from the government-led initiatives,” CEO Dan Marokane said. 

“It shows that our strategy is delivering on our commitment to energy security, supporting the country’s socio-economic programmes, and positioning Eskom as an investable, sustainable company ready to compete in the marketplace.”

He said the utility is now setting its sights on delivering more efficiencies across its operations.

This will be done through primary energy optimisation, procurement efficiencies, digital transformation, capital productivity, and revenue growth opportunities.

“The disciplined execution and dedication by the Eskom teams have ensured the best winter period performance in recent years and laid a solid foundation for a positive Summer Plan,” said Eskom Group Executive for Generation Bheki Nxumalo.

“Our recovery of generation capacity, improved plant performance, and operational excellence are stabilising the national grid and enhancing service delivery.” 

“Reduced load-shedding and improved EAF demonstrate that our interventions are delivering results for South Africa.”

Looking forward, Eskom will consolidate its gains in generation recovery while addressing distribution challenges and accelerating transmission projects to secure South Africa’s energy supply.

Some key priorities include rolling out projects under the Transmission Development Plan (TDP) that will unlock 56,000 MW of new capacity over the next decade.

In addition, by March 2026, Eskom aims to reduce load reduction by up to 20% and eliminate it within two years.