Eskom added the last 800 megawatt units of the 6th Unit Kusile Power Station to the South African National Grid.
The development is a milestone in Eskom’s strategy to add 2.5GW of new capacity in March 2025.
As of September 2025, Unit 6 will be tested and optimized before being officially added to Eskom’s Generation Fleet.
Due to generator stator failure, Kusir’s sister project Medupi will return 800MW from unit 4 in April 2025 in April 2025.
Once Kusile Unit 6 arrives in commercial operations, the Newbuild Power Station project will be commercially operated.
Dan Marokane, CEO of Eskom Group, said: “The increase in Kusile Unit 6 is a testament to our ongoing progress in stabilizing and strengthening South Africa’s power supply. Achieving the goals set in our power generation recovery plan and the strategic roadmap highlights our determination to achieve new capabilities, enhance generation performance, support economic growth, ultimately deliver sustainable energy and provide more sustainable energy for the future.
“We reaffirm our commitment to ensure that South Africa will never return to the burden levels experienced in 2023. Our focus remains on providing the country with a more reliable, resilient and sustainable power system.”
When all units are running, the Kusir power station will contribute 4.8GW, making it the largest infrastructure project in South Africa.
The power plant is also the first company in the country to implement wet flue gas desulfurization technology to meet air quality standards.
Eskom Group Generation Bheki Nxumalo representative said: “Eskom is at a critical point because we are currently in a restricted state, so we return the megawatts to the grid. This is a milestone. It is a testament to the firm dedication and resilience of Eskom’s employees and contractors, although their commitment drives many challenges. Despite the many challenges.
“As we celebrate this progress, our focus is to ensure that Unit 6 is commercially operated in the second half of 2025, further enhancing South Africa’s energy security.”
Eskom remains committed to its first-generation operational recovery program, focusing on governance and sustainability to ensure energy security in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
In January 2025, Eskom connected the 930MW unit of the Koeberg nuclear power plant to the State Grid and advanced the plan.
The connection follows a long-term operational plan that extends the life of the unit by 20 years before upgrading to Unit 1.
“Eskom integrates the final unit of Kusile with the goal of 2.5GW by 2025” was originally created and released by GlobalData-owned brand Power Technology.
