MEDIA STATEMENT
TO ALL MEDIA/NEWS EDITORS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, 31 AUGUST 2026
MINISTER OF ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY WELCOMES ESKOM’S FY2025/26 FINANCIAL RESULTS
The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa today welcomes the release of Eskom’s annual financial results for the financial year ended 31 March 2026.
These results mark a significant milestone in South Africa’s transition from crisis response to structural sustainability in the electricity sector.
The Minister notes with satisfaction the marked improvement in operational performance, characterized by an increase in the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) to 65.16% and the achievement of a historic 365 consecutive days without loadshedding as of May 2026. This operational stability serves as the bedrock for broader economic recovery, providing the certainty required by households, businesses, and investors.
Financially, the utility has demonstrated a positive trajectory, reporting an EBITDA of R108.6 billion and a profit before tax of R39.4 billion. While these figures indicate that the Government’s debt-relief interventions are successfully creating the necessary space for stabilization and essential maintenance, the Minister emphasized that this support is a bridge, not a permanent solution. The focus must now shift toward ensuring that Eskom’s recovery becomes durable and self-sustaining.
The Minister acknowledges that significant challenges remain, particularly regarding the sustainability of the electricity pricing framework and the critical issue of municipal arrear debt, which stood at R119 billion as of June 2026. Addressing these systemic risks requires a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to ensure that the electricity supply industry remains both financially viable and affordable for all South Africans.
Looking ahead, the Minister remains committed to supporting Eskom in its dual mandate: maintaining the reliability of the existing fleet while aggressively expanding the transmission grid and enabling a competitive, lower-carbon energy market. Initiatives such as the “Eskom Green” portfolio are vital steps in positioning the utility for the future energy landscape.
The Minister said: “The progress reported today demonstrates what can be achieved when we work with a shared sense of national purpose. Our responsibility now is to ensure that this recovery becomes permanent, that electricity remains reliable, and that Eskom continues to build a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable energy future for our country.”
The Minister expects the Eskom Board and executive leadership to maintain a steadfast commitment to governance, integrity, and accountability as they build upon these foundations to secure the nation’s energy future.
Media Enquiries: Tsakane Khambane on 082 084
5566/Tsakane.khambane@dee.gov.za
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA