Eskom says no loadshedding expected this winter as grid stabilises

South Africa is unlikely to experience loadshedding during the 2026 winter period, according to Eskom, which says the national grid is now stable enough to meet demand through the colder months.

In a media statement released on Wednesday, Eskom said it expects “continued energy stability” from 1 April to 31 August 2026, following what it described as a reliable summer performance and sustained improvements in generation capacity.

The utility confirmed it has secured enough supply to meet winter demand, supported by reduced unplanned outages and additional capacity. Eskom says it currently has a surplus of about 6GW during peak periods, with unplanned losses reduced and system reliability strengthened.

Even under more stressful scenarios, where outages could rise to around 14GW, Eskom maintains that loadshedding is not anticipated based on its planning models.

This marks a significant shift from previous winters, where rolling blackouts were common.

Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said the country now has “a stable electricity platform to operate and grow from,” adding that the improved system allows for better integration of renewable energy under the government’s long-term energy plan.

The power utility also highlighted major operational gains. Diesel spending has dropped sharply, saving nearly R27 billion compared to 2023, while the Energy Availability Factor has improved significantly, indicating better performance from power stations.

Eskom further confirmed it has gone 341 consecutive days without loadshedding as of this week.

However, not all risks are resolved.

The utility warned that delays in building new generation capacity could threaten electricity supply between 2029 and 2030. This concern has been flagged in national planning outlooks, and Eskom says decisions on future capacity — including the transition away from older coal stations — are expected later in 2026.

It is not yet confirmed how these long-term risks will affect future loadshedding beyond the current winter outlook.

For households and businesses in the Eastern Cape, including rural areas in Pondoland, the announcement could mean a more stable winter without disruptions that typically affect heating, schooling, and small businesses.

However, local impact is not yet clear in areas that still experience load reduction due to infrastructure constraints, which is separate from national loadshedding.

Eskom says it is working to reduce these localised outages, with plans to remove many affected areas from load reduction schedules by 2027.

For now, the utility’s message is clear: the system is stable — but maintaining that stability will depend on continued performance and future energy investments.

Residents are advised to continue using electricity responsibly during winter peak hours, as demand typically rises.

We will update this story as more details emerge on local supply conditions and any changes to Eskom’s outlook.