JOHANNESBURG Eskom- South Africans may finally be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, as Eskom is generating more power than it needs to meet current electricity demand, according to Energy and Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
In his latest electricity grid update on Wednesday, the minister revealed that Eskom’s power generation capacity has significantly““` improved over the past year. With multiple recovery measures in place and sustained improvements across power stations, the utility’s energy availability factor (EAF) has risen from 55% in 2024 to 70% in 2025.
This notable recovery has resulted in periods where Eskom is producing more electricity than is being consumed — a scenario that seemed impossible during the height of South Africa’s rolling blackouts.
“There are periods in the week where we have to put the machines in cold reserve,” said Ramokgopa. “Cold reserve means Eskom is generating more power than what the demand is. And to protect the grid, we must pull back some of the machines. It’s a better situation to be in.”
Eskom’s Energy Availability Sees a Remarkable Turnaround
For more than a decade, South Africa has battled with chronic electricity shortages, often resulting in scheduled load shedding that impacted businesses, schools, and daily life. However, the recent performance improvements suggest that Eskom may finally be stabilising.
The 70% energy availability factor means that more generating units are remaining online for longer periods, with fewer breakdowns and reduced need for emergency repairs.
Ramokgopa attributed this improvement to enhanced maintenance protocols, better planning, and the dedication of Eskom engineers and technicians. He also noted that targeted interventions at key power stations such as Kusile, Matla, and Kendal have started to yield positive results.
“We are not out of the woods yet, but the signs are promising. Our target is to reach an 80% energy availability factor by mid-2026. That would firmly place us in a position where load shedding becomes a thing of the past,” the minister said.
The minister emphasised that during certain periods of the day, particularly weekends and off-peak hours, Eskom is generating more power than what the national grid consumes. This surplus allows Eskom to place some of its units into a “cold reserve” state — a form of standby operation that ensures quick reactivation if demand spikes unexpectedly.
“Cold reserve is not a sign of waste — it’s a safety mechanism,” explained Ramokgopa. “It shows that we’re no longer operating at crisis levels, where every megawatt counted just to keep the lights on.”
The shift from power scarcity to controlled surplus also allows for greater flexibility in grid management, potentially reducing unplanned outages and extending the life of key infrastructure.
While Eskom is generating more power today, Ramokgopa said that the ultimate goal is sustainability and reliability. He stressed that government and Eskom leadership remain focused on long-term stability through a combination of:
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Continued infrastructure rehabilitation
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Investment in renewable energy integration
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Skills development within the utility
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Public-private partnerships in energy supply
In addition to technical improvements, financial reforms and better governance structures are being introduced to ensure that Eskom maintains its current momentum.
Ramokgopa also acknowledged the support of the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) and praised the collaborative effort from various stakeholders, including municipalities and independent power producers.
While many South Africans remain cautiously optimistic, the recent improvements have sparked renewed confidence in Eskom’s ability to deliver.
Local businesses, which have previously invested heavily in backup generators and solar installations, are now beginning to adjust their energy planning in light of the new performance metrics.
However, experts warn that continued vigilance is essential, especially as demand may increase during summer months and potential weather disruptions could impact performance.
Still, the fact that Eskom is generating more power than the country needs — even if only temporarily — is a major shift from the load shedding crises of previous years.
“The energy landscape is evolving,” Ramokgopa concluded. “We are determined to make this a permanent transition — from managing blackouts to ensuring that every South African has access to reliable, affordable electricity.”
Source- EWN
