How did Eskom manage to cut its diesel spending by over 85 percent in just two months?

Power utility Eskom says that its diesel spending fell by more than 85% in the first two and a half months of the current financial year

Power utility Eskom says its diesel spending fell by more than 85% in the first two and a half months of the current financial year, as improved generation performance reduced the need to use diesel-powered turbines.

The utility said it spent R640.27 million on diesel between April 1 and June 18, 2026, compared with R4.515 billion during the same period last year.

Eskom said the reduction in diesel use was supported by improved power station performance, lower unplanned outages, and increased electricity availability across its generation fleet.

“For the financial year to date (1 April to 18 June 2026), diesel expenditure stands at R640.27 million at a load factor of 1.30% for the Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), significantly lower than the R4.515 billion incurred over the same period last year at a load factor of 11.94%, an 89.09% year-on-year reduction and a diesel expenditure reduction of 85.82%,” the utility said.