Kusile Unit 6 enters commercial operation, completing Eskom’s 9 600MW megaprojects fleet

Eskom on Monday announced that Unit 6 of Kusile Power Station has officially entered commercial operation, marking the completion of South Africa’s largest-ever power build programme.

The milestone brings to a close the decades-long construction of Kusile and Medupi, the two supercritical coal-fired power stations that together can now supply 9 600MW to the national grid when running at full capacity.

Together, these stations form the backbone of the country’s baseload electricity supply.

Eskom said Unit 6 had been synchronised to the grid in March this year and had been contributing electricity since then, but its output is now formally recognised in performance reporting. The additional 800MW will also be factored into Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) metrics.

This achievement also marks a key milestone in Eskom’s strategic goal to add 2 500MW of new capacity to the grid by March 2025 and represents a major step in completing one of the largest infrastructure projects in South Africa’s history.

Eskom’s group executive for generation, Bheki Nxumalo, said the successful commissioning of Unit 6 adds 800MW to the grid and completes the power utility's 12 unit Megaprojects fleet.

"We extend our gratitude to employees and contractors for theircommitment and perseverance in delivering this milestone. Despite the many challengesalong the way, the successful handover of Unit 6 reflects the team’s resilience anddedication. We look forward to the added stability these megawatts will bring," Nxumalo said.

Kusile Power Station is the first in South Africa—and on the African continent—to implement Wet Flue Gas Desulphurisation (WFGD) technology. This ensures compliance with air quality standards and aligns with global best practices to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions.

Eskom said it remained committed to executing its Generation Operational Recovery Plan, enhancing governance, and future-proofing the organisation to ensure energy security, economic growth, and long-term sustainability for South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region.

Dan Marokane, Eskom Group CEO, said that achieving commercial operation within the planned timeframe demonstrated Eskom’s discipline in executing its Generation Operational Recovery Plan.

"This milestone not only completes the Kusile build programme but also reinforces Eskom’s commitment to restoring energy security, enhancing grid stability, and investing in infrastructure that supports South Africa’s long-term economic growth," Marokane said.

"Since its synchronisation in March, Unit 6 has consistently met performance benchmarks, contributed to grid reliability, and helped meet electricity demand 97% of the time

"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." 

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