Nuclear facility reaches major operational milestone
Koeberg's unit 2 has now been generating electricity without a single break for an entire year, recording an impressive energy availability factor of 99.4% following the completion of significant infrastructure upgrades. The nuclear facility has been feeding approximately 946 MW of dependable power into the national grid throughout this period.
The unit was brought back online and reconnected to the grid on 30 December 2024, maintaining continuous operations since 9 March 2025. This remarkable run follows extensive refurbishment work that included the installation of new steam generators at the Cape Town-based power station.
Bheki Nxumalo, Eskom's executive group manager for generation, described the achievement as a testament to the country's nuclear capabilities.
"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."
The last time unit 2 posted a standout operational streak was on 18 January 2022, when it completed 454 consecutive days of generation — a record that still stands. The current run is not expected to surpass that benchmark, as the unit is scheduled to go offline for planned maintenance on 26 April 2026. By that date, it will have clocked roughly 412 unbroken days of service.
Strategic importance for the Western Cape and beyond
Despite falling short of the all-time record, Eskom maintains that the current performance is a clear indicator of growing reliability and operational stability across its generation fleet. The utility says progress is being made in curbing unplanned outages that have historically plagued the country's electricity supply.
Koeberg holds particular strategic value for Cape Town and the broader Western Cape, providing a local source of electricity that lessens the province's reliance on lengthy transmission infrastructure carrying power from coal-fired plants situated in the northern regions. The station also contributes to grid stability nationally by delivering a steady, predictable supply of energy.
As a nuclear facility, Koeberg produces power without releasing greenhouse gases, bolstering the country's transition towards a cleaner energy mix. Eskom has confirmed that the forthcoming maintenance window will be used to safeguard recent upgrades and ensure the unit continues to operate reliably over the next two decades.
Koeberg's sustained output directly eases pressure on a national grid long plagued by load shedding, offering households and businesses greater supply certainty during a period when reliable electricity remains critical to economic recovery. For the Western Cape, the plant reduces dependence on distant coal-fired stations and their vulnerable transmission lines, strengthening regional energy security. If upcoming maintenance preserves this performance trajectory, the facility could anchor South Africa's baseload supply well into the 2040s.
