Eskom has announced a profit before tax of R23.9 billion for the 2025 financial year, marking its first return to profitability in eight years.

The achievement signals a dramatic turnaround for the state-owned power utility, which only a few years ago was at the centre of a load shedding crisis that severely disrupted South Africa’s economy.

Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, said the profit will be reinvested into the organisation.

“The focused and ongoing efforts of Eskom’s 42 000 employees in delivering the turnaround strategy have produced tangible results. We are reinvesting profits back into national assets. Over the next five years, we will invest more than R320 billion in sustaining and expanding infrastructure for the long-term benefit of the nation,” Marokane said.

He added that the utility is accelerating cost reviews and restructuring in line with tariff frameworks set by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), while driving efficiencies to make electricity more affordable.

According to Marokane, the country’s economy lost R2.8 trillion to load shedding in 2023, but this dropped by 83% to R481 billion in 2024.

Key performance highlights

• Profit before tax of R23.9 billion, supported by a stronger margin and lower fuel costs.
• Diesel savings of R16.3 billion due to improved coal plant reliability and reduced reliance on Open-Cycle Gas Turbines.
• Load shedding fell sharply to just 175 hours in 2025, compared to 6 367 hours in 2024.
• Electricity was supplied on 96% of days in the reporting year.
• A normalised profit of R11.9 billion after adjusting for a once-off fuel levy rebate.

Eskom board chairperson, Mteto Nyati, said the company has stabilised significantly.

“Eskom is increasingly a sustainable, investable company ready to compete in a liberalised market, very different from the crisis we inherited in 2022. Stronger systems and smarter technology are protecting revenue and ensuring reliable electricity for all South Africans,” Nyati said.

The power utility presented its annual results at Megawatt Park on Tuesday, affirming that the lights are staying on for longer — and with profits finally back on the balance sheet.