Eskom: 300 days no loadshedding but sights on one year

Eskom announced that it delivered 300 consecutive days without loadshedding on Tuesday. This is a milestone that was last reached in June 2018.

According to the power utility, this is as a result of Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan which was implemented in March 2023. The plan has allegedly delivered sustained and ongoing structural improvement in its Generation fleet which has led to the reduction in unplanned outages.

But, while the country celebrates 300 days with uninterrupted power, Group Executive for Generation Bheki Nxumalo says their eyes are now firmly focused on delivering one year without loadshedding at midnight on 26 March 2025.

“Credit goes to all our 40 000 dedicated and skilled Eskom employees who are committed to serving South Africa.”

Nxumalo added that these 300 days without loadshedding have been characterised by a significant reduction in unplanned outages, which have long been one of the power utility’s biggest challenges.

” – a notable improvement in the energy availability factor of approximately 7%, and savings in diesel expenditure of R16.42 billion”

At the same time Eskom’s Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, said this ongoing delivery of the action plan has boosted business confidence with credit rating agencies and banks.

” – Eskom’s performance recovery is a key contributor towards positive sentiments as far as South Africa’s GDP growth prospects of up to 2% are concerned.” added Marokane

In a statement, the power utility expressed its gratitude to all stakeholders, including the Minister of Electricity and Energy, the Eskom Board, the government and the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM), for the collaborative effort in addressing the country’s electricity challenges.

Eskom says it will continue to focus on implementing generation recovery, strengthening governance, and tackling crime and corruption while future-proofing the organisation to enable energy security, growth, and long-term sustainability to the benefit of South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.