Eskom is conducting high levels of planned maintenance in anticipation for high demand for the coming winter season. According to a statement released on Friday, 11 April, the power utility says 14.85% of its generating capacity is offline for planned maintenance.

“The high level of planned maintenance aims to enhance fleet reliability for the anticipated increased peak winter demand while also ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements,” said Eskom in their statement.

The latest data from the power utility shows that in the week from 5 April to 12 April, unplanned power outages drastically reduced from a peak of 14 940 MW on 8 April, to as low as 10 571 MW on 12 April.

“The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), or unplanned outages, for the financial year-to-date (1 to 10 April 2025), stands at 28.50%, improving by an ~2.85% from 31.35% achieved in the same period last year,” reported Eskom.

Unplanned outages stood at 28.58% of Eskom’s generating capacity on Friday, with Eskom promising to restore 3 120 MW to the grid by the evening of Monday 14 April.

In the week 4 April to 10 April, Eskom increased its use of its diesel-fueled open cycle gas turbines (OCGT) by 9 percentage points compared to the previous week, and they report to have spent R3.6 billion on diesel in 30 days (12 March 2025 to 11 April 2025).

Data shows that Eskom drastically reduced its reliance on open cycle gas turbines during peak hours to as little as 524 MW on Thursday evening (10 April), down from the previous evening’s peak of 1 679 MW, relying more heavily on their pumped hydro peaking stations.

The power utility promised to share their Winter Outlook plans soon.

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GRAPHIC: Sibusiso Biyela