South Africa’s power sector has added 9,600MW of capacity following the commercial operation of Unit 6 at Kusile Power Station, confirmed by state utility Eskom.
In a statement on Monday by the utility firm seen by Energy in Africa, Eskom said the project marks the completion of its long-running Build Programme.
According to Eskom, it will enable its two flagship coal-fired plants, Medupi and Kusile, to generate up to 9,600MW at full capacity.
The Kusile Power Station itself, according to Eskom, adds a total of 800MW to the grid.
“The successful commissioning of Unit 6 adds 800MW to the grid and completes our twelve-unit Megaprojects fleet.
“Despite the many challenges along the way, the successful handover of Unit 6 reflects the team’s resilience and dedication. We look forward to the added stability these megawatts will bring,” said Bheki Nxumalo, Eskom Group Executive for Generation.
South Africa has the largest power generation capacity on the continent, with over 65,000 MW.
However, given its large energy consumption and economic growth, the nation continues to add more power station and infrastructure to boost its electricity growth and drive access, particularly in rural provinces.
Eskom’s Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, described the development as a reflection of disciplined execution under the Generation Operational Recovery Plan.
He noted that Unit 6 has consistently met performance benchmarks since synchronisation, contributing electricity 97% of the time.
“This milestone reinforces Eskom’s commitment to restoring energy security, enhancing grid stability, and supporting South Africa’s long-term economic growth”, he said.
Lifespan of the new project
While Eskom is steadily adopting renewable energy, it emphasized that coal-fired power will remain a significant part of its energy mix.
“Medupi and Kusile will remain central to South Africa’s electricity supply for many years to come. Both stations are designed for an operational lifespan of approximately 50 years.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we are also accelerating efforts to expand our renewable energy portfolio to complement our baseload infrastructure. This is part of our broader strategy to repower the grid and reduce overall emissions,” added Marokane.
Coal still accounts for about 80% of South Africa’s electricity production, making it the backbone of the country’s generation capacity.
Eskom has, however, outlined a plan to gradually phase out its coal fleet and transition to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Recently, it launched a renewable energy subsidiary and opened it to private investors, giving independent producers the opportunity to buy renewable power directly.
More details on Kusile power station
Kusile is the first power station in South Africa—and the continent—to deploy Wet Flue Gas Desulphurisation (WFGD) technology.
The system cuts sulphur dioxide emissions and ensures compliance with air quality standards, aligning with global environmental best practices.
Eskom added that the project’s completion is part of wider efforts to strengthen governance and drive long-term sustainability in South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa.
Earlier in January, Eskom announced the successful synchronisation of Unit 2 at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.
The unit added 930MW to the national grid under the utility’s Long-Term Operation (LTO) programme, which aims to extend its lifespan by another 20 years.
Unit 2’s output is expected to play a pivotal role in Eskom’s 2,500MW capacity target by March 2025.
However, the unit’s operational license renewal is still pending approval from the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), with a decision expected later this year.
