Eskom forecasts clear skies with a chance of load reduction

Eskom has published its 2025 summer outlook, stating that no loadshedding is expected in the coming months, yet load reduction will continue. 

This is an improvement from summer 2024, when the country experienced 13 days of loadshedding. 

Eskom said that 4,000 MW of extra capacity has been made available through “structural improvements” to meet this summer’s expected demand.

Following major planned outages for maintenance in 2023 and 2024, planned maintenance will be reduced by 1,900 MW this summer. 

Eskom’s energy mix is heavily dominated by coal, which provides the vast majority of the country’s electricity, supplemented by nuclear, hydroelectric, pumped storage, and some gas power. 

The power utility said that the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has risen from 55% in 2023 to 60.6% in 2025.

Reported diesel generator expenditure has decreased from R33 billion in 2024 to R17 billion in March 2025, and diesel usage has been reduced from 16.02% of the load factor to 1.84% in August.

Eskom expects the power outlook to improve further when Kusile Unit 6 returns to commercial operation and Koeberg Unit 1 returns to service this month, following long-term operation maintenance. 

“Our recovery of generation capacity, improved plant performance, and operational excellence are stabilising the national grid and enhancing service delivery,” said Eskom Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo.

“Reduced loadshedding and improved EAF demonstrate that our interventions are delivering results for South Africa.”

While loadshedding remains at bay, load reduction will continue this Summer. Eskom said its goal is to decrease load reduction by 20% and eliminate it in the next two years. 

Load reduction is prompted by the overloading of the national grid. To compensate for this pressure, Eskom switches off power during peak hours in high-risk areas to prevent damage.

To eliminate the problem, Eskom plans to remove over 600,000 illegal connections and increase the number of households registered for free basic electricity.

Additionally, the utility plans to install 7.2 million smart meters to more effectively manage power consumption and upgrade the electricity network where necessary.

Eskom had predicted in its 2025 winter outlook that there would be no loadshedding during this period if unplanned outages remained below 13 GW.

Despite pushing unplanned outages down to 10,000 MW by August, there were 26 hours of loadshedding this winter. 

The utility said that setbacks occurred due to delays in returning units from outages.