Eskom utilised R9m less on diesel over winter period, reveals Electricity Minister

JOHANNESBURG - As the power grid improves, Eskom has used R9 billion less on diesel during this winter period compared to previous peak load shedding times.

Between 1 April and 31 August 2023, the power utility spent R14.8 billion on open-cycle gas turbines powered by diesel.

This was the worst period of load shedding since it was introduced. 

Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday, Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho  Ramokgopa noted that they have made significant strides in improving their systems.

“I mean, just to give you a context for the period of 1 April to 31 August in 2023, just that period we used about R14.8 billion. And I'm saying to you now that for now we used R5.8 billion. And it's also true that last year during this period, we spent R3.6 billion because the system, the units that were meant to return on time last year. It's something that we fixed, and we have gone back to the performance that we are expecting.”