Kusile powers up grid

BASELOAD: UNIT 6 ENTERS OPERATION, ADDING 800MW CAPACITY >>> Commissioning completes electricity utility's 12-unit megaprojects fleet.

- Faizel Patel

Unit 6 at Kusile power station has officially entered commercial operation, adding about 800MW of generating capacity to the grid, says Eskom.

The milestone marks the completion of South Africa's two “supercritical” coal-fired power stations - Medupi and Kusile.

According to Eskom, these stations together form the backbone of the country's baseload electricity supply.

“With unit 6 now online, Kusile and Medupi can deliver a combined 9 600MW when operating at full capacity, significantly strengthening South Africa’s electricity supply,” it said

Eskom said the unit has passed all required testing and optimisation phases and is now fully integrated into Eskom’s operational fleet.

“Although the unit has been supplying electricity to the grid since its synchronisation on 23 March, its contribution had not been reflected in official reporting until now.