South Africa’s state utility Eskom has proposed a two-year pilot tariff for cryptocurrency miners and other flexible users that would sell surplus power about 27% below last year’s average industrial price. The energy regulator is taking comments until 23 October and plans to decide on 7 December; two mining firms have shown interest in about 10 megawatts, possibly rising to 500. Eskom expects surplus generation as rooftop solar spreads and industrial demand falls, while better plant performance has cut its diesel spending by about 80% this financial year. Selling idle capacity would support Eskom’s revenue, but smelters and other industrial users paying full tariffs could press for similar terms.
Sources
- Sunday Times: https://www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/business/news/2026-10-03-eskom-courts-cryptocurrency-miners-with-tariff-discount/
- TechCentral: https://techcentral.co.za/eskom-bitcoin-power-deal-nersa/286838/
- Renewables Now: https://renewablesnow.com/news/rooftop-solar-boom-leaves-eskom-with-surplus-power-for-bitcoin-miners-1291415/
- EWN: https://ewn.co.za/2026/10/03/eskom-reduces-diesel-expenditure-by-nearly-r48-billion