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South Africa 09 July 2025

Electricity Tracker

Shireen Darmalingam

  • Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) is at 58.7% in the year to date. The EAF in 2024 was at an average of 60%. This is above the average of 54.7% in 2023. The third quarter of 2024 saw a significant increase in the EAF, to more than 70% earlier in the quarter (the highest recorded since 2020). The improvement in the EAF is largely on the back of a decline in unplanned outages. Eskom remains focused on achieving financial and operational sustainability through continued improvements in the EAF, aiming for 70%, and on a sustainable basis.
  • The unplanned outage factor (ratio of energy losses over a given time to the maximum amount of energy which could be produced over the same time) was 28.8% in Q1:25, and dropped to 27.3% in Q2:25; it ended 2024 at 24.8%. It is currently down, at 24%. The planned outage factor (planned maintenance) ended 2024 just above 19%. It has averaged 12.5 % in 2025 thus far, compared to 13.6% in the comparable period in 2024.
  • The decrease in the level of loadshedding, and the suspension of loadshedding last year, came on the back of a combination of factors, including an increase in private-sector electricity self-generation capacity. Lower levels of unplanned outages have contributed significantly to the improvement supply and the suspension of loadshedding since then. Eskom noted last week that the power system remains stable and continues to show resilience in meeting winter demand.
  • Eskom’s open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) are intended to be used during peak periods and emergency situations to supply electricity to the national grid. July’s OCGT usage is down from April and May. Eskom noted that the year-to-date load factor for OCGTs has declined to 10.70%, reflecting a 0.67% decline, compared to the previous week. Despite the decrease, this figure remains higher than 6.12% during the same period last year. The utility further highlighted that, although diesel usage is within budget, it is expected to decline further as more generation units return to service from long-term repairs and maintenance activities are reduced, thereby increasing available generation capacity.
  • SA has experienced cumulative loadshedding of 2,886 GWh in 2024, and only 474 GWh in 2025 thus far. It was a cumulative 16,823 GWh in 2023. Despite four short bouts of loadshedding 2025, loadshedding has largely been at bay since 26 March 2024.
 

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