What is Eskom's winter electricity supply outlook, and what key performance metrics support this projection?

Eskom projects no power cuts between April and August this winter, supported by an energy-availability factor of 65.4%—up from 54.6% three years ago—and unplanned generation losses dropping significantly; the utility supplied electricity 98.9% of the time in the past financial year, with no load-shedding implemented for over 300 days, and expects to maintain about 6 gigawatts of surplus generation capacity during peak demand periods.

What are the two most pressing financial and operational risks Eskom has identified despite its improved winter outlook?

The two most pressing risks highlighted are: (1) municipal debt, which has climbed to about 110 billion rand and severely strains Eskom’s balance sheet and borrowing capacity—CEO Dan Marokane called it the utility’s 'biggest Achilles heel'; and (2) delays in commissioning new generation capacity, particularly with only half of awarded renewable energy projects completed and key gas-to-power developments facing regulatory and execution hurdles, raising concerns about supply gaps by the end of the decade if older coal plants are retired without sufficient dispatchable replacement capacity.

Eskom Projects No Power Cuts This Winter, Warns of Lingering Risks

Apr 22, 2026

Eskom predicts no power cuts this winter following improved plant performance, but warns of long-term risks from municipal debt and delayed renewable capacity projects.

bloomberg

2026-04-22

Eskom Projects No Power Cuts This Winter, Warns of Lingering Risks

Eskom Projects No Power Cuts This Winter, Warns of Lingering Risks

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