Eskom has successfully added 800 megawatts (MW) of new capacity to the national grid with the synchronisation of Kusile Power Station’s Unit 6 at 16:45 on Sunday. This milestone marks the first time new capacity has been added since the start of Eskom’s Generation Operational Recovery Plan.
This development is a major leap toward the completion of Kusile, South Africa’s largest infrastructure project, which will contribute a total of 4 800MW to the grid once fully operational. The synchronisation of Unit 6 is part of Eskom’s broader strategy to deliver 2 500MW of new capacity by the end of March 2025.
“This milestone is a testament to the unwavering dedication and resilience of Eskom’s employees and contractors,” said Bheki Nxumalo, Eskom Group Executive for Generation. “Our focus now is on ensuring that Unit 6 achieves full commercial operation in the second half of 2025, further strengthening South Africa’s energy security.”
In addition to expanding capacity, Kusile Power Station is also a landmark in environmental compliance. It is the first power station in South Africa and on the African continent to implement Wet Flue Gas Desulphurisation (WFGD) technology, which significantly reduces harmful sulphur dioxide emissions in line with global standards.
Kusile’s sister project, Medupi Power Station, is also expected to return another 800MW to the grid by the end of April 2025, once Unit 4 is back online following repairs to a damaged generator.
Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane emphasised that these developments are part of the utility’s long-term commitment to stabilising South Africa’s electricity supply and avoiding a return to the loadshedding levels of 2023.
“As we continue to meet targets set in the Generation Recovery Plan, we move closer to a more resilient and sustainable power system for South Africa,” said Marokane.
The newly synchronised unit will undergo further testing and optimisation over the next six months before being declared commercially operational and fully integrated into the national grid.
Eskom reaffirmed its commitment to energy security, good governance, and long-term sustainability for the benefit of South Africa and the broader region.
