Kusile Unit 6 Powers Up: Major Milestone in SA’s Energy Recovery Plan

The Kusile Power Station, situated near Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, is now one step closer to full completion with the addition of its final unit.

In a significant breakthrough for South Africa’s energy future, Eskom has announced the successful synchronisation of Unit 6 at the Kusile Power Station with the national grid. The milestone was achieved on Sunday at 4:45pm, marking a pivotal advancement in the country's largest infrastructure project and a key step toward stabilising the national electricity supply.

Unit 6 Brings Hope Amid Energy Struggles

The Kusile Power Station, situated near Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, is now one step closer to full completion with the addition of its final unit. Once all six units are in full commercial operation, the plant will contribute an impressive 4 800 megawatts (MW) to the national grid—making it the single largest power-generating facility in South Africa, and a symbol of Eskom’s ambitious infrastructure expansion.

Eskom confirmed that this latest development is a crucial part of its strategic objective to add 2 500MW of new capacity to the national grid by March 2025. Unit 6 alone, once fully tested and commissioned for commercial operation, will contribute 800MW of that capacity.

“This achievement marks a crucial step toward completing one of South Africa’s largest infrastructure projects,” Eskom noted in an official statement. “It is a key milestone in our strategic objective to boost capacity and enhance the resilience of the power system.”

A Symbol of Technological Progress

Kusile is not just noteworthy for its size. It is also Africa’s first power station to incorporate wet flue gas desulfurisation (WFGD) technology—a sophisticated emissions control system designed to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions and ensure compliance with international air quality standards.

This technological innovation positions Kusile at the forefront of clean coal initiatives on the continent, aligning Eskom’s operations with global environmental best practices. The WFGD system also signifies Eskom’s gradual pivot toward sustainability, even as the utility continues to rely on coal as a primary energy source.

What Comes Next: Testing, Commissioning, and Commercial Operation

Though Unit 6 is now feeding power into the grid, it won’t reach full commercial status immediately. Over the next six months, the unit will undergo rigorous testing and optimisation to ensure reliability, safety, and performance before its full 800MW capacity is officially declared.

According to Eskom, this process is crucial to integrate the unit seamlessly into the national fleet and secure long-term operational stability.

Eskom Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, praised the teams involved in reaching this stage: “This milestone is a testament to the unwavering dedication and resilience of Eskom’s employees and contractors. Their commitment has driven us forward despite numerous challenges,” Nxumalo said. “As we celebrate this progress, our focus now shifts to ensuring Unit 6 achieves commercial operation in the second half of 2025.”

Medupi Unit 4 to Return by April 2025

Meanwhile, Eskom’s other mega-project—the Medupi Power Station—is also progressing. Medupi’s Unit 4, which has been offline due to a major generator stator failure, is expected to return to service by the end of April 2025. Once that happens, Medupi will also reach completion, adding another 800MW to the national grid.

Together, Kusile and Medupi represent Eskom’s two flagship coal-fired new-build projects, aimed at reinforcing South Africa’s power supply and reducing dependence on aging infrastructure.

CEO Emphasises Stabilisation and Long-Term Goals

Dan Marokane, Eskom’s recently appointed Group CEO, echoed the importance of these milestones as part of Eskom’s broader strategic shift.

“The addition of Kusile Unit 6 demonstrates ongoing progress in stabilising and strengthening South Africa’s electricity supply,” Marokane said. “Meeting the targets we set in the Generation Recovery Plan and our strategic roadmap underscores our determination to deliver new capacity, enhance generation performance, support economic growth, and ultimately deliver a more sustainable energy future.”

Marokane also reaffirmed Eskom’s commitment to avoid a repeat of the severe load shedding experienced in 2023. “We reiterate our commitment to ensuring that South Africa is in no way returning to the levels of load shedding that we experienced in 2023. Our focus remains on delivering a more reliable, resilient, and sustainable power system for the country.”

Looking Ahead: Recovery, Resilience, and Reform

The successful integration of Unit 6 marks more than just an engineering triumph—it represents a symbolic turning point in Eskom’s battle to rebuild capacity, restore public confidence, and reposition itself as a reliable force in South Africa’s energy landscape.

With the Generation Operational Recovery Plan in full swing, and governance reforms under way, Eskom says it is more determined than ever to ensure energy security, economic growth, and long-term sustainability—not just for South Africa, but for the broader sub-Saharan region.

As Unit 6 enters its testing phase, and Medupi’s Unit 4 gears up for its return, Eskom’s path forward remains clear: stabilise the grid, complete strategic projects, and prepare the utility for a new era of energy resilience and innovation.