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Eskom’s Ankerlig Gas Turbine Power Station. The name “Ankerlig” is symbolic of a community which “rises above the chains of poverty to experience growth and prosperity”.
Eskom has spent at least R469.24 million on diesel since 1 April, primarily on independent power producers (IPPs), despite a stable grid so far this winter.
The latest data from Eskom shows that the power utility dispatched IPPs for over 80% of its diesel-burning needs.
Eskom reported on Friday last week that it had spent R469.24 million on diesel between 1 April and 7 May 2026, to generate over 55 000 MWh of electricity in five weeks. This, despite Eskom reporting that the national grid was stable in the face of inclement weather across the country.
Eskom’s reported cost to generate electricity from diesel is 10 times over what it costs to generate electricity from coal, a concern raised by members of parliament in February.
“The use of diesel-fired generation during March 2026 was driven by the need to meet contractual obligations requiring a minimum load factor of 1% for the Independent Power Producer (IPP) open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) over the six months ending 31 March 2026,” said Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa in a reply to parliament last week.
The minister said OCGTs are the most flexible sources of emergency power when there is a need to stabilise the grid amid electricity demand that fluctuates daily. He also said that it would be too costly to terminate the minimum fuel burn requirement contracts Eskom has with IPPs.
“The cost of termination would be substantial. The plants act like an insurance policy, unwelcome when not used, but essential when the system is under strain,” he explained.
