After years of setbacks, South Africa’s energy security and its landscape have finally turned the corner with Eskom’s Kusile Power Station now able to operate at full commercial capacity.
This is the message by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who delivered an address to Eskom workers at the power station on Friday.
The power station is located in the Nkangala District Municipality of Mpumalanga.
The President conducted a working visit to the power station to witness progress made in restoring South Africa’s energy security and later, following a tour of the facility, delivered remarks to the Eskom workforce and leadership.
In September last year, the power station’s Unit 6 reached commercial operation, adding some 800MW to the grid.
“It is a pleasure to be here to bear witness to the great strides Eskom has made towards restoring our country’s energy security.
“Kusile means ‘the dawn has come’, which speaks directly to this moment in our national journey. Kusile’s performance benchmarks are impressive. It is now one of the most reliable stations in the Eskom fleet, achieving an average Energy Availability Factor of 74%, increasing to 90% on occasion,” the President said in his written remarks.
The commercial operation of Kusile Unit 6 marked the end to the power utility’s Build Programme, which included the Medupi Power Station in Limpopo.
When at full operational capacity, the two power stations together generate some 9 600MW for the national grid.
The President described the massive power stations – designed to be among the biggest in Africa and the world – as the “backbone of South Africa’s energy supply”.
“When operating at full capacity, these two stations are capable of delivering 9 600 megawatts. Both of these stations are designed for an operational lifespan of 50 years and will remain key to South Africa’s electricity supply for many years to come.
“What has been achieved here at Kusile – and indeed across all Eskom’s power stations – is a testament to discipline, consistency and resilience,” President Ramaphosa said on Friday.
Light at the end of the tunnel
President Ramaphosa noted that when the Energy Action Plan was announced in 2022, South Africa was facing severe load shedding, which “disrupted peoples’ lives, constrained economic growth, and eroded business and investor confidence”.
However, today, the tide has turned, with South Africa on the cusp of reaching 365 days of no load shedding.
The Energy Availability Factor has also increased to 65%, some 4% higher than it was at the same time last year – further greasing the wheels that turn the economy.
“South Africa’s improved energy supply is a welcome relief for millions of households and businesses across the country.
“It is also part of a wider economic recovery that is bringing renewed confidence to investors, and part of our broader goal of achieving higher, inclusive growth that creates jobs.
“This restored capacity is now being put to productive use, supporting industry and safeguarding jobs,” President Ramaphosa stated.
He acknowledged that the road to completing Kusile has been a “difficult journey”.
“Kusile has been plagued by challenges nearly throughout the project lifespan, including overruns, massive cost escalations, technical problems and issues with contractor performance.
“The State Capture Commission uncovered widescale corruption and looting at Kusile that nearly brought Eskom to financial ruin.
“I wish to acknowledge Eskom’s leadership for supporting the efforts of our law enforcement authorities to recover stolen money and hold those found guilty accountable,” he noted.
President Ramaphosa assured, however, that the country has learned from the lessons of that period.
“This experience has sharpened our resolve to ensure that projects of this scale adhere to the highest standards of governance, due diligence, proper financial controls and accountability,” he said.
He called on the leadership of the power utility and its workers to ensure that “power stations and all our strategic assets are managed with integrity and foresight, so that they may serve the country”, as reforms start to bear fruit and the economy begins to grow.
“Energy security is vital to the security and well-being of our nation. It underpins economic growth, job creation and social stability. It shapes the prospects of families and communities across our country.
“That is why we are in the process of the most fundamental reform of our electricity sector in more than a century, which will modernise our energy system, enable significant new investment and lower the cost of electricity for all South Africans,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za
