Johannesburg: Eskom has announced that it has entered the New Year with a 'structurally stronger system' than it has in five years. The power utility said this was the result of the implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan which commenced in April 2023. Eskom comes into 2026 with an additional 4,400 MW of capacity available than it did last year.
According to South African Government News Agency, Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, emphasized the significance of these improvements, stating that the utility has transitioned from a heavily constrained power system to a more stable and reliable one. This transformation allows Eskom to deliver 24/7, 365 baseload power consistently.
The results of the Generation Recovery Plan have been notable. The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has increased from 56.03% to 64.55%. During the current financial year, from 1 April 2025 to date, the fleet has achieved or exceeded the 70% benchmark on 55 occasions. Scheduled maintenance, also known as Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF), reached a high of 12.76% in Financial Year 2025 following an intensive maintenance period and is currently at 9.32%, aligning with global best practices for power systems. The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) has declined from 31.92% to 16.02%.
The savings from diesel usage in FY 2025 amounted to approximately R16 billion and continue to decrease in FY 2026, thanks to the improved reliability of the coal fleet. This has enabled a safe reduction in the use of open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs), which play a crucial role in providing emergency support during supply shortages.
Marokane expressed gratitude for the nation's understanding and support during this transformative period. He also highlighted the importance of a rigorous focus on operational reliability and sustainability to maintain and build upon these early gains. Furthermore, the R254 billion Eskom Debt Relief package provided by the government has alleviated financial pressures on the utility, allowing it to carry out essential maintenance and investment into its fleet.
