Eskom management tells Parliament the utility has shown significant operational performance

CAPE TOWN - Eskom management has told Parliament that the utility has shown significant operational and financial performance over the last year.

The power utility also says the past eight months of no load shedding has seen a massive decrease in the use of diesel saving the company more than R16 billion.

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane and the board briefed the Energy and Electricity Portfolio Committee on Wednesday on the company’s financial outlook.

Eskom management returned to Parliament on Wednesday to give an update on company finances, and operational performance including the summer outlook.

The utility's board chairperson, Dr Mteto Nyati, noted how it's gone eight months without load shedding.

He also noted diesel costs had decreased significantly.

"What we can say is that, to date, we have saved close to about R16 billion. So we have done this without burning diesel."

Marokane said Eskom's financial performance had improved year-on-year due to a few factors.

"But the revenue has improved mainly due to tariff increases, last year's tariff positions."

Eskom says its biggest risk factor at the moment is the non-payment of electricity bills by State institutions like municipalities - which have billions outstanding.