South Africa’s endless struggle with load shedding might just be getting its final shove into the grave. Eskom, the country’s long-suffering power utility, has bolted 800MW of fresh capacity onto the national grid with the successful sync-up of Kusile Power Station’s Unit 6.
Announced on Sunday, March 23, 2025, the unit clicked into the grid at 16:45, marking what Eskom calls a “crucial step” toward pumping 2,500MW of new juice into the system by the end of March.
Kusile, one of South Africa’s biggest infrastructure beasts, is set to deliver a hefty 4,800MW once all its units are humming. This latest milestone isn’t just a win for keeping the lights on—it’s a lifeline for a grid that’s been teetering on the edge for years. “We’re at a critical point,” said Bheki Nxumalo, Eskom’s Group Executive for Generation. “This is about clawing back megawatts when we’re still squeezed tight. Our team and contractors have grit—they’ve pushed through every hurdle to get us here.”
The road to this moment hasn’t been smooth. Unit 6 still needs six months of rigorous testing before it hits full stride in late 2025, officially adding its 800MW to Eskom’s lineup. But the signs are promising.
The utility’s Generation Recovery Plan is gaining traction, with Kusile’s progress showing real muscle. “This is hard proof we’re steadying the ship,” said Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane. “We’re hitting our targets, boosting performance, and laying tracks for a power system that doesn’t buckle—and maybe even grows the economy while we’re at it.”
What’s extra notable? Kusile’s breaking ground as the first plant in South Africa—and all of Africa—to roll out Wet Flue Gas Desulphurisation tech. It’s a mouthful, sure, but it means slashing sulphur dioxide emissions and keeping the air cleaner while still cranking out power. It’s a rare nod to green responsibility from a coal-heavy giant like Eskom.
Meanwhile, Medupi Power Station—Eskom’s other big-ticket project—isn’t far behind. Its Unit 4, sidelined by a generator stator blowout, is slated to toss another 800MW back into the mix by April 2025. Once both plants are fully fired up, South Africa’s newest powerhouses will be online, potentially closing the chapter on the country’s darkest energy days.
Marokane’s not mincing words: “We’re not sliding back to 2023’s blackout mess. Our sights are locked on a grid that’s tougher, smarter, and greener.” With Kusile Unit 6 in play, Eskom’s doubling down on its recovery plan, tightening up governance, and aiming to future-proof itself—not just for South Africa, but for the whole sub-Saharan stretch. Load shedding’s coffin might not be sealed yet, but this 800MW nail sure feels like a solid whack.