Eskom delivers blackout-free winter

Power utility Eskom has guided the region through the 2026 winter season without implementing scheduled blackouts, maintaining grid stability despite heavy overcast weather cutting rooftop solar output.

The achievement fulfils the state utility's forecast made at the start of the season.

Eskom attributed the winter stability to a turnaround in generation performance. Its year-to-date energy availability factor rose to 67.79%, its highest level since 2020, while unplanned outages dropped from 34.48% to 19.47%.

The operational improvements restored 6,888 megawatts of generation capacity to the network compared with three years ago, an amount roughly equal to the combined output of two major power stations.

Officials said these gains allowed the utility to meet peak winter demand while significantly reducing reliance on expensive diesel-fired gas turbines.

Eskom has recorded around 476 consecutive days without system-wide power cuts, which management credits to improved plant reliability, fewer breakdowns and a structured maintenance programme.

The utility added that its operational performance and disciplined maintenance have strengthened broader regional energy security, supported economic growth and created a more resilient interconnected system.

Alongside overall grid stability, targeted load reduction initiatives have restored normal supply conditions to about 1.2 million customers across affected distribution networks.

Seven key operational areas are now entirely free from targeted power cuts. Roughly 1,222,430 customers are no longer affected by the practice, representing about 72% of the 1.69 million targeted under the scheme.

This total includes more than 670 000 customers across major industrial provinces, nearly 270 000 in central economic hubs, and over 280 000 across neighboring supply districts.