South Africa’s electricity grid is set to receive a significant boost by the end of the month, as generating units across the country improve their output. This announcement, made by Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa during a media briefing in Pretoria, brings a measure of relief to a nation long plagued by power shortages.
An additional 2,500 megawatts (MW) of electricity is expected to be available on South Africa’s grid by the end of August. This increase in capacity stems from various improvements in Eskom’s generating units, which have been under intense pressure to stabilize the country’s power supply. Minister Ramokgopa emphasized the importance of these upgrades in addressing the persistent energy crisis.
During the briefing, the Minister outlined the sources of the additional power, which will be crucial in easing the strain on the national grid. He pointed to the imminent contributions from Medupi Unit 4, Kusile Unit 6, and the extension of Koeberg Unit 2’s operational life.
Medupi Unit 4 is set to provide 800MW of power. This unit, part of the Medupi Power Station in Limpopo, has been a key focus for Eskom as it works to ramp up electricity generation. Kusile Unit 6, another major contributor, is also expected to deliver 800MW. Kusile, located in Mpumalanga, is one of the largest coal-fired power stations in the world, and its full operational capacity is crucial for meeting South Africa’s energy needs.
In addition to these contributions, the government is working to extend the life of Koeberg Unit 2, a nuclear power unit at the Koeberg Power Station near Cape Town. If successful, this extension will add another 980MW to the grid. Ramokgopa expressed optimism about this project, noting that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
“We are doing everything by the book,” Ramokgopa assured, “and we remain optimistic about securing the extension of Koeberg Unit 2’s operational life.” If all goes according to plan, these efforts will result in a total addition of 2,500MW to the grid from Eskom’s fleet alone by the end of the month. This increase in capacity is seen as a significant step forward in addressing the country’s ongoing energy challenges.
However, the Minister was careful to temper expectations. Despite the anticipated boost in electricity supply, he warned that the threat of loadshedding is far from over. Loadshedding, a process of rolling blackouts implemented to prevent the grid from collapsing, has been a constant concern for South Africans, affecting both daily life and economic productivity.
“I really want to caution that loadshedding is not behind us,” Ramokgopa said. He acknowledged that while the performance of Eskom’s generation plants has improved, the situation remains fragile. In the coming weeks, Eskom is expected to share its summer outlook, which will provide a clearer picture of the challenges that lie ahead. “While we are buoyant about the performance of these generation plants,” the Minister stated, “we must avoid any premature declarations that loadshedding is a thing of the past.”
Ramokgopa also took the opportunity to highlight the progress made at several of Eskom’s power stations, particularly Tutuka, Kendal, and Kriel. These stations have faced significant operational challenges over the years, contributing to the country’s power supply woes. However, recent interventions have yielded positive results.
At Tutuka Power Station, located in Mpumalanga, the unplanned capacity loss factor (UCLF)—a key indicator of power plant reliability—has seen a notable improvement. From March to August, the UCLF at Tutuka decreased by 29%, a significant reduction that has brought the station’s capacity loss down from 2,411MW to 949MW. This improvement is particularly significant given the station’s troubled history.
Similarly, Kendal Power Station, also in Mpumalanga, has made strides in reducing its UCLF. The station, which had been grappling with emissions issues that impacted its performance, has managed to cut its UCLF from 2,500MW to 919MW. This reduction is the result of targeted interventions aimed at addressing the station’s operational inefficiencies.
Kriel Power Station, another critical facility in Mpumalanga, has seen even more dramatic improvements. The station’s UCLF has dropped by 53%, reducing the capacity loss from 1,400MW to just 508MW. This turnaround is a testament to the effectiveness of the measures implemented at the station.
Ramokgopa credited these successes to the change in leadership at the power stations. He emphasized the importance of having experienced and dedicated individuals at the helm of these facilities. “The people issues do matter,” he noted, “and the Eskom leadership has taken that into account. Placing the most seasoned, loyal, and patriotic individuals in charge of these power stations has delivered the kind of results we need.”
