Kusile Power Station Boosts Grid as Ramaphosa Announces R1 Trillion Investment
President Cyril Ramaphosa hails Kusile’s completion, job creation, and role in South Africa’s low‑carbon energy future
On Friday, April 10, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga, following Eskom’s progress in restoring the plant.
Kusile is now fully operational, contributing 4,800 megawatts to the national grid. It stands as one of Eskom’s most reliable stations, with an average Energy Availability Factor of 74%, occasionally reaching 90%.
Since the final unit was brought online in September last year, Ramaphosa expressed satisfaction that Eskom’s build programme is complete.
“The build programme created nearly 40,000 jobs, with more than half directly linked to Kusile. Eskom has also invested heavily in surrounding communities,” he said.
Currently, Kusile is operated by a permanent workforce of over 600 full‑time employees, supported by around 1,000 contractors during major maintenance periods.
Equipped with advanced technology to reduce harmful emissions, Kusile will play a key role in South Africa’s transition to a diverse, low‑carbon energy mix alongside renewable energy.
Looking ahead, Ramaphosa announced that the state will invest R1 trillion in infrastructure over the next three years.
“We are determined that all infrastructure projects deliver value for South Africans and are planned, financed, constructed and maintained in strict compliance with the law. Let us ensure that this power station and all our strategic assets are managed with integrity and foresight, so they may serve the country into the future,” he said.
