President Cyril Ramaphosa says Eskom will require at least R33-billion to complete the Medupi and Kusile power stations. These two power stations should be able to supply 4800 MW to the grid. However, completion of these power stations has been delayed and do not yet supply the additional power so desperately needed to overcome the need for load shedding. 

Medupi and Kusile are the first base-load power stations to be built in 20 years by Eskom. The power stations comprise six 800 MW units for a total capacity of 4800 MW. Once completed, Medupi and Kusile together should supply 9600 MW to the grid. 

“All six Medupi generation units have reached the stage of commercial operation and the current focus is on completing the balance of the plant and remedial works. Four out of six Kusile generation units are in commercial operation and the current focus is on completing the commissioning of the remaining two units,” said the president.

The president added that studies are underway to identify what resulted in the flawed designs, flawed operational capability of some of these power stations.