Friday, 11 July 2025: The power system remains stable and continues to show resilience in meeting winter demand. While occasional system constraints do arise, they are effectively managed, with sufficient emergency reserves available and strategically deployed during morning and evening peak periods.
On Sunday, 6 July 2025, Unit 4 at Medupi Power Station was successfully brought back online. Once it reaches full capacity in the coming weeks, it will contribute 800MW to the national grid, marking a key milestone in strengthening South Africa’s energy security and improving supply reliability.
Since 15 May 2025, no loadshedding has been implemented, and only 26 hours of loadshedding have been recorded year-to-date (1 April to 10 July 2025), mainly due to an improved Energy Availability Factor (EAF).
As of today, unplanned outages total 13 380MW, with an available generation capacity of 30 195MW and an expected electricity demand of 28 346MW for tonight.
To further enhance grid stability, Eskom plans to return a total of 3 470MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 14 July 2025.
During the week of 4 to 10 July 2025, planned maintenance averaged 4 418MW. Over the same period, the EAF ranged between 60% and 62%, with the month-to-date average increasing to 62.07%.
The Unplanned Capability Loss Factor (UCLF), which reflects the percentage of generation capacity lost due to unplanned outages, has reached 29.44% for the current financial year to date (1 April to 10 July 2025). This represents an increase of approximately 2.4% compared to 27.03% recorded during the same period last year.
The year-to-date load factor for open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) has marginally increased to 10.78%, reflecting a 0.08% increase compared to the previous week. This figure remains higher than the 5.87% recorded during the same period last year.
Although diesel usage is within budget, it is expected to decline as more units return to service, 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:
- For the week of 4 to 10 July 2025, unplanned outages averaged 13 628MW—a decrease from the previous week, but 1 525MW higher than the same period last year and 628MW above the base case estimate of 13 000MW
- For the financial year-to-date, planned maintenance has averaged at 5 282MW, representing 11.24% of total generation capacity. This reflects a decrease from the previous week, but a 0.6% increase compared to the same period last year.
- The year-to-date EAF reached 58.83%. However, this is still lower than the 61.74% recorded during the same period last year, primarily due to a 2.9% year-on-year increase in unplanned maintenance. It is important to note that the EAF figure excludes the 720MW contribution from Kusile Unit 6, which, although not yet commercially operational, has been supplying power to the national grid since 23 March 2025.
- Year-to-date, Eskom spent R5.26 billion on fuel for the OCGT fleet, generating 892.42GWh. This is higher than the 485.39GWh generated during the same period last year.
- The open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) load factor increased this week, reaching 11.92%, up from 2.41% recorded during the previous week (27 June to 3 July 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, 18 July 2025, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.
ENDS
