Eskom says its diesel use dropped significantly, indicating improved grid stability
Eskom says it has drastically reduced its use of diesel indicating that the grid has been more stable.
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Eskom’s reliance on costly diesel generation has drastically reduced, marking one of the clearest signs yet that the power utility’s turnaround strategy is gaining traction.
The company said its diesel expenditure dropped sharply from R33.4 billion in the 2024 financial year to R17 billion in 2025. The current year’s spending stands at just R6.1 billion, below the R8 billion budget.
“This demonstrates Eskom’s strategic shift away from diesel reliance, driven by stronger 24/7 baseload generation,” the utility said on Wednesday.
Eskom has also drastically reduced how often it runs its Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), which are designed to burn diesel only during peak demand or emergencies. The year-to-date OCGT load factor sits at 5.84%, showing that these turbines “are being used selectively and efficiently, as intended”.
The power utility explained that diesel usage was highest in April 2025 because of “delays in returning several generating units from planned maintenance” but it has since fallen month after month. By October 2025, the OCGT load factor had declined to just 0.75%.
Eskom said the decline in diesel use reflects “sustained improvements in generation performance” supported by a stronger and more reliable coal fleet.
The company “notes with concern the continued misinformation regarding its system performance and diesel usage,” emphasising that its data “highlights continued improvements in generation performance, including a steady reduction in diesel usage, enhanced power station efficiency, and a decrease in breakdowns.”
According to Eskom, its intensified maintenance programme that forms part of the Generation Recovery Plan, launched in March 2023, is paying off.
“These maintenance efforts are now yielding tangible results, reflected in improved system performance, ensuring the uninterrupted electricity supply that South Africans are currently experiencing,” the statement said.
Since August 2025, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) “has either reached or exceeded 70% on 32 occasions” averaging 70.27% in September. Year-to-date, the EAF stands at 63.19%, up 7.16 percentage points from 56.03% in 2023.
Breakdowns have fallen too, with the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor improving from 31.92% (about 15 GW) to 25.16% (11.8 GW). Eskom said the reduction is “equivalent to roughly three stages of loadshedding or almost the capacity of Lethabo Power Station”.
Improved reliability has even allowed Eskom to “place 13 generating units on cold reserve as of 31 October 2025,” a move it says demonstrates “restored generation capacity, improved reliability, and enhanced system resilience.”