Eskom says generation performance continues to improve, with the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) rising to 65.11% for the financial year to date. The utility reports that its fleet has exceeded the 70% mark on 69 occasions, while unplanned outages between 13 and 19 February 2026 dropped to 9 980MW — down 2 784MW compared to the same period last year.
The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor improved to 20.77% from 25.30% a year ago, while planned maintenance levels have also declined. South Africa has now recorded 280 consecutive days without loadshedding interruptions, with only 26 hours implemented earlier in the financial year.
Diesel usage has decreased significantly, with year‑to‑date expenditure R5.49 billion lower than last year. Energy generated from Open Cycle Gas Turbines fell by 45.77% year‑on‑year, reflecting reduced reliance on diesel. Eskom noted that some recent diesel usage relates to existing take‑or‑pay agreements with Independent Power Producers.
The utility also reported progress in reducing load reduction, with 119 feeders restored and more than 151 000 customers benefiting so far. Eskom plans to bring an additional 3 274MW online ahead of peak demand, saying system performance continues to exceed current demand levels.
For residents and businesses, this signals improved power stability, lower reliance on costly diesel generation, and a reduced risk of loadshedding in the short to medium term. While challenges such as illegal connections and infrastructure protection remain, the current performance indicators suggest a more stable electricity outlook compared to recent years.