Friday, 20 June 2025: The power system remains stable and continues to demonstrate resilience in response to increased electricity demand. While occasional system constraints are experienced and managed, sufficient emergency reserves are in place and are strategically deployed to support demand during morning and evening peak periods.
To further enhance grid stability, Eskom plans to return a total of 2 730MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 23 June 2025.
During the week of 13 to 19 June, planned maintenance averaged at 3 659MW, resulting in a decline in planned outages. During the same period, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) ranged from 60% to 63%, with a month-to-date average of 60.48%.
The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which measures the capacity lost due to unplanned outages, stands at 29.23% for the financial year to date (1 April to 19 June 2025). This marks a slight increase of approximately 1.7% compared to 27.51% during the same period last year. The rise in unplanned outages is partly attributed to delays in returning units from planned maintenance amounting to ~1 300MW, including 800MW from Medupi Unit 4 since 1 June 2025.
As of today, unplanned outages amount to 12 892MW, while the available generation capacity stands at 31 681MW, excluding the 720MW contribution from Kusile Unit 6, which is not yet in commercial operation. This capacity is sufficient to meet the projected peak demand for tonight, which is expected to reach 28 425MW.
The year-to-date open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) load factor stands at 11.73%, representing a 0.25% decrease from the previous week. This is higher than the 5.78% recorded during the same period last year.
Diesel usage is expected to decline as more units return to service from long-term repairs and maintenance activities are reduced, increasing available generation capacity.
The Winter Outlook, published on 5 May 2025, covering the period ending 31 August 2025, remains valid. It indicates that loadshedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000MW. If outages rise to 15 000MW, loadshedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days and restricted to Stage 2.
Key Performance Highlights:
- From 13 to 19 June 2025, the average level of unplanned outages reached 15 076MW, exceeding last year’s figure for the same period by 3 144MW and surpassing the base case estimate of 13 000MW by 2 076MW. This increase is largely due to delays in restoring Medupi Unit 4 (800MW), which is undergoing a long-term recovery project, and Tutuka Unit 1 (585MW). Year-to-date, the average unplanned outages stand at 13 966MW.
- For the financial year-to-date, planned maintenance has averaged at 5 629MW, representing 11.99% of total generation capacity. This reflects a decrease from the previous week, but a 1.12% increase compared to the same period last year.
- The year-to-date EAF has also shown an upward trend, reaching 58.25%. However, this still represents a 2.83% decline compared to the 61.08% recorded during the same period last year. The decrease is largely due to a 1.12% year-on-year increase in planned maintenance. It is important to note that these EAF figures exclude the 720MW from Kusile Unit 6, which, although not yet commercially operational, is already contributing to the national grid.
- Year-to-date, Eskom spent approximately R4.51 billion on fuel for the OCGT fleet, generating 768.64GWh. This is higher than the 378.75GWh generated during the same period last year.
- The diesel expenditure is still within budget for the current financial year.
- The OCGT load factor decreased to 9.12% this week, compared to 14.79% in the previous week (6 to 12 June 2025).
Protect transformers this winter – avoid illegal connections and prevent power failures
While loadshedding remains suspended and electricity demand continues to rise during the winter period, Eskom urges the public to avoid illegal connections and energy theft. These activities often lead to transformer overloads, equipment failures, and in some cases, explosions and extended outages, prompting the need for load reduction to protect the network. To help maintain a stable electricity supply this winter, customers are encouraged to purchase electricity only from Eskom-accredited vendors and take responsibility by regularising their electricity usage.
Eligible households are encouraged to register for free basic electricity with their local municipalities.
Any illegal activity impacting Eskom’s infrastructure should be reported to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp on 081 333 3323.
Eskom encourages all South Africans to use electricity efficiently throughout the winter season. To help manage household electricity consumption, Eskom customers are encouraged to use the Eskom Residential Calculator, a convenient tool for tracking and optimising energy usage: https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/residential-calculator/
Eskom will provide an update on Friday, 27 June 2025, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.
ENDS
