(Photo: Maroela Media)
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station’s Unit 2 has delivered uninterrupted power for a full year and achieved an average energy availability factor of 99.4% since major upgrades were completed.
Eskom announced that the unit had been in operation for 365 consecutive days and was delivering around 946 MW of reliable electricity to the national power grid.
According to Eskom, this milestone follows major upgrades to unit 2. The unit was reconnected to the power grid on 30 December 2024 and has been operating uninterrupted since 9 March 2025.
Bheki Nxumalo, Eskom’s executive group manager for generation, says the achievement highlights South Africa’s nuclear expertise.
“This milestone demonstrates the strength of South Africa’s nuclear skills base. The successful installation of new steam generators reflects the dedication and expertise of the Koeberg team, engineers, technicians, operators and support staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the unit operates safely and efficiently,” said Nxumalo.
The last time Unit 2 achieved a record performance was when it remained operational for 454 consecutive days – a record set on January 18, 2022.
The current series is unlikely to match this record, as the unit is expected to be disconnected from the power grid for scheduled maintenance on April 26, 2026. By then, it is expected to have been in operation for approximately 412 consecutive days.
Eskom says the current performance already shows strong reliability and operational stability and indicates progress in reducing unplanned power outages at its generation fleet.
The power station plays an important role in the electricity supply to Cape Town and the rest of the Western Cape. Because the province has a local source of electricity, it reduces the dependence on long transmission lines from coal-fired power stations in the north of the country.
According to Eskom, Koeberg also helps to keep the national power grid stable by providing a constant source of electricity. In addition, nuclear power is generated without greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to a cleaner energy profile.
According to Eskom, the upcoming maintenance period will help protect the station’s recent upgrades and ensure the unit’s reliable operation for the next 20 years.