Eskom has successfully synchronized the final 800MW unit, Unit 6, of the Kusile power station to South Africa’s national grid, marking a significant milestone in its strategy to add 2.5GW of new capacity by March 2025. This development is a key step in Eskom’s efforts to stabilize and strengthen the nation’s electricity supply.
Unit 6 will undergo testing and optimization until September 2025 before being officially integrated into Eskom’s generation fleet. Concurrently, Eskom anticipates the return of 800MW from Medupi’s Unit 4 by April 2025, following repairs from a generator stator failure.
Eskom Group CEO Dan Marokane emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “Kusile Unit 6’s addition demonstrates our continued progress in stabilizing and strengthening South Africa’s electricity supply. This aligns with our Generation Recovery Plan and strategic roadmap, reinforcing our commitment to delivering new capacity, enhancing generation performance, and supporting economic growth.”
Marokane reiterated Eskom’s dedication to preventing a return to the severe load-shedding experienced in 2023, focusing on establishing a reliable and sustainable power system.
The Kusile power station, upon full operation, will contribute 4.8GW to the grid, positioning it as South Africa’s largest infrastructure project. Notably, Kusile is the first power plant in the country to utilize wet flue gas desulphurization technology, adhering to stringent air quality standards.
Eskom Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, highlighted the importance of this milestone in the context of the current constrained energy environment. “This achievement underscores the dedication and resilience of Eskom’s employees and contractors. Our focus now shifts to ensuring Unit 6 achieves commercial operation by the second half of 2025, further enhancing South Africa’s energy security.”
Eskom is committed to its Generation Operational Recovery Plan, which includes governance and sustainability measures to secure energy for South Africa and the wider sub-Saharan region.
This progress follows the successful connection of Koeberg’s Unit 2, providing 930MW, to the national grid in January 2025, a crucial step in the long-term operation program to extend the nuclear power station’s lifespan. Sources and related content
