Eskom completes major build programme as Kusile Unit 6 enters commercial service
Zuko Komisa
- Eskom confirmed that Kusile Power Station Unit 6 is now in commercial operation, officially adding 800MW to the national grid.
- The milestone marks the completion of the Eskom Build Programme, boosting energy security and grid stability.
- The unit’s output will now be included in official Energy Availability Factor (EAF) calculations, contributing to Eskom’s strategic goal of adding new capacity.
South Africa’s national power utility, Eskom, has announced a significant boost to the country’s grid with Kusile Power Station Unit 6 officially entering commercial operation. The milestone, confirmed on Monday, adds a substantial 800MW of generating capacity, marking the completion of Eskom’s long-running Build Programme and strengthening national energy security.
The commencement of commercial operation signifies that Unit 6 has successfully passed all necessary testing and optimisation phases, integrating it fully into Eskom’s active generating fleet. Although the unit has been supplying power since its synchronisation on 23 March 2025, its output will now be formally included in the official Energy Availability Factor (EAF) calculations, impacting Eskom’s overall performance metrics.
Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane hailed the achievement, noting it was a direct result of the utility’s operational recovery plan. “Achieving commercial operation of Unit 6 within the planned timeframe is a testament to Eskom’s disciplined execution… This milestone not only completes the Kusile build programme but also reinforces Eskom’s commitment to restoring energy security,” Mr Marokane stated. Since first being synchronised, he added, Unit 6 has reliably contributed to the grid 97% of the time.
The new capacity from Kusile, alongside the recent return to service of Medupi Power Station Unit 4 in July this year, secures a vital part of South Africa’s power supply. Both Medupi and Kusile are designed for an operational lifespan of approximately 50 years, ensuring they “remain central to South Africa’s electricity supply for many years to come,” Marokane explained
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