The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has released annual reports on power generation statistics in South Africa, covering the period from 1 January to 30 June 2025. The report provides a detailed analysis of loadshedding statistics and the energy availability factor (EAF) during this timeframe and is available here.

Key power generation statistics for the first half of 2025:

1. Loadshedding down: Loadshedding continued to decline in the first half of 2025, with only 749 GWh shed off compared to 4 126 GWh in 2024 — a reduction of 82% — reflecting improved power system performance and supply availability.
2. Peak Eskom demand down: Electricity demand continues to trend down; peak demand is 3% lower in the first half of 2025 compared to the peak demand recorded in the first half of 2024.
3. Eskom generation capacity up: Fleet installed capacity increased by 720 MW in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024; therefore, energy generated from coal is relatively higher, and additional capacity was added from independent wind and concentrated solar power (CSP) producers.
4. Power plant reliability up: The Eskom fleet energy availability factor marginally improved in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year and reached an annual average of 58%, which is 1% higher than the 57% reached in the same period of 2024.
5. Tariffs up and exceeding inflation: National average tariffs have risen 190% since 2014, mostly above inflation, with the projected 2026 hike (8.76%) exceeding the 4.5% Consumer Price Index forecast and now above utility‑scale solar photovoltaic levelised cost of electricity.

The study compares Eskom’s aggregated generation resources for the first half of 2025, such as coal, nuclear, hydro, pumped storage, open cycle gas turbine, renewable energy independent power producer procurement programme, solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, CSP and embedded/private solar PV with their installed capacities and energy production outputs from January to June 2025 to assess their impact on the power system. This iteration also examined national average electricity tariff increases and the potential impact on electricity affordability.

Eskom’s annual average EAF continued a positive trend, reaching 58% by the end of June 2025, compared to an average of 57% in the same period of 2024, primarily driven by reduced planned maintenance and a marginal improvement in other capacity loss factors (OCLF). The peak demand for Eskom’s electricity decreased by an average of 3% in the first half of 2024, partly due to increased private sector generation capacity uptake. Consequently, a combination of lower electricity demand, new generation capacity and a gradual increase in Eskom's EAF helped to reduce the impact of loadshedding. However, the utilisation of diesel generators increased from an average of 13% in the first half of 2024 to 18% in the same period of 2025.

The national average electricity tariff increased by an average of 10% per year from 2014 to 2025, compared to an average inflation rate of 5.2% over the same period.

-ENDS-

Issued by CSIR Strategic Communication

For enquiries, contact:

Kulani Chauke, Manager: Corporate Communication and Media Relations

KChauke@csir.co.za

Contact: 071 266 0019

About the CSIR:

The CSIR, an entity of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development, to improve the quality of life of all South Africans.

This year, the CSIR celebrates 80 years of touching lives through innovation. For more information, visit www.csir.co.za

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