Ramokgopa
South Africa has marked a major win in its fight for reliable power with the commercial operation of Kusile Unit 6. This step adds 800MW to the national grid and wraps up Eskom’s long Mega Build Project. Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has hailed it as a big leap towards a stable energy future for the country and beyond. With Kusile and Medupi now able to pump out a combined 9 600MW at full tilt, the move boosts baseload supply and helps ease the load shedding woes that have dogged the economy for years.
Milestone Achievement in Eskom’s Build Programme
The official start of commercial operations for Kusile Unit 6 came on Monday, 29 September 2025. While the unit has fed power into the grid since its first sync on 23 March 2025, this formal status means its output now counts in Eskom’s official figures, including energy availability factor calculations. This brings the full six units at Kusile online, each designed to deliver 800MW, for a total station capacity of 4 800MW. Together with its sister plant Medupi, also at 4 800MW, they form the backbone of South Africa’s newest coal-fired power fleet.
Medupi’s Unit 4 returned to service in July 2025 after fixes, ensuring both stations can hit their peak output. The build programme, which kicked off in 2008, aimed to add much-needed capacity but faced huge delays and cost overruns. Kusile alone ballooned from an estimated R80 billion to nearly R161 billion, making it one of the priciest coal plants ever built worldwide. Issues like design flaws, faulty parts, and even corruption probes slowed progress, with the final unit coming online 17 years after the go-ahead.
Despite the setbacks, the plants use advanced supercritical technology, which burns coal more efficiently at higher heat and pressure. Kusile stands out as the first in Africa with wet flue gas desulphurisation to cut sulphur emissions, helping meet tougher environmental rules. Since syncing, Unit 6 has run reliably, meeting demand 97% of the time during tests.
Minister’s Praise and Broader Impacts
In his statement, Minister Ramokgopa called the event a pivotal advance. “This significant milestone marks a pivotal advancement of South Africa’s journey towards securing a sustainable and resilient energy future for South Africa and the region,” he said. The department noted it as proof of tackling tough challenges in one of the country’s biggest builds ever.
He stressed the boost to baseload power: “With the combined output of Kusile and Medupi Power Stations now reaching 9 600MW, we are significantly enhancing our baseload electricity supply and reinforcing South Africa’s position as a leader in energy generation capacity across the continent.” Ramokgopa linked it to wider goals, saying energy drives economic recovery, job creation, and cutting poverty and inequality. “This achievement is a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to energy security, noting that energy is an engine and strategic driver for economic recovery and development critical for job creation and alleviation of poverty and inequality in our country.”
The department thanked the teams: “We extend our deepest gratitude to the engineers, contractors, and all stakeholders involved in ensuring that we finally reach this monumental accomplishment.” Eskom’s Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, praised the workers and partners for their grit amid hurdles.
Overcoming Hurdles and Path to Recovery
The road to this point was rocky. Construction hit snags with things like duct failures at Kusile and boiler issues at Medupi, plus supply chain woes and labour disputes. Corruption allegations also surfaced, including a recent case where a suspect was extradited over fraud tied to Kusile upgrades between 2014 and 2017. These problems led to years of load shedding, costing the economy trillions in lost output.
But Eskom’s Generation Operational Recovery Plan turned things around, with disciplined fixes and maintenance. This milestone meets part of the goal to add 2 500MW by March 2025, bolstering grid stability. Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said it shows commitment to energy security and growth. “Achieving commercial operation of Unit 6 within the planned timeframe is a testament to Eskom’s disciplined execution of the 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.”
He added that Medupi and Kusile, with a 50-year lifespan, will stay key while renewables ramp up to cut emissions.
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