CEO Andre de Ruyter said poor sales were due to capacity shortages.

De Ruyter said the power utility is taking active measures to look at their cost base.

He said Eskom has voluntarily reduced their headcount through natural attrition and are anticipating that diesel costs will be lower this year.

The CEO said there has been a steady sales decrease over the years due to sluggish economic growth but he is hoping to participate in the growing manufacturing industry and help create a reindustrialised South Africa.

The utility also reported its six-unit Kusile coal-fired power station in eMalahleni in Mpumalanga has achieved full commercial operation status, which will assist with generation capacity in the coming years.

Kusile has progressed from its 16-month project testing phase to officially becoming a part of Eskom's generation fleet.

Kusile will contribute up to 800MW to the South African power grid.

Energy sector commentator Chris Yelland said the efficacy of the new power plant remains to be seen. 

Yelland said the age of the infrastructure, as well as the scale of the existing problems in the system, could contribute to how much Kusile helps the energy provider.

eNCA