In a country where electricity reliability often dominates daily conversations, a quiet but significant milestone has unfolded on the West Coast.
Eskom’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station has marked a full year of uninterrupted operation at Unit 2, signalling renewed stability for one of South Africa’s most critical energy assets.
According to BusinessTech, Unit 2 has now operated for 365 consecutive days without interruption, maintaining an average Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 99.4% since completing major technical upgrades.
The reactor currently contributes roughly 946MW of electricity to the national grid, power that directly supports Cape Town and the broader Western Cape.
Insights highlighted by BusinessTech emphasise that Koeberg’s steady output reduces reliance on long-distance transmission from coal-fired power stations located in northern parts of the country, helping stabilise regional supply.
Unlike many generation sources affected by fuel logistics or weather variability, nuclear energy provides constant baseload power, a factor Eskom says strengthens overall grid performance.
‘Nuclear power also produces electricity without greenhouse gas emissions, supporting a cleaner environment while keeping costs affordable,’ the utility noted.
The uninterrupted run comes after significant refurbishment work, including the installation of new steam generators, one of the most technically demanding components of the life-extension project.
Eskom Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, stated that the achievement highlights both the accuracy of the engineering work and the skills of the workforce.
‘This milestone follows major upgrades to Unit 2, which returned to the grid on 30 December 2024 and has operated continuously since 9 March 2025,’ Nxumalo explained.
He added that the project demonstrates the depth of South Africa’s nuclear capability, crediting engineers, technicians, operators and support teams who worked to ensure safe and efficient operations.
‘It showcases the strength of South Africa’s nuclear skills base… the Koeberg team… have worked tirelessly to ensure the unit runs safely and efficiently.’
Beyond technical success, Eskom views Koeberg as a strategic anchor within the national energy system. Continuous generation from the station helps prevent grid instability while limiting dependence on more expensive emergency power sources.
The utility says consistent nuclear output contributes directly to economic activity by supporting businesses and safeguarding jobs tied to stable electricity supply.
‘The continuous operation of Koeberg Unit 2 is not just a technical achievement; it has a direct impact on the daily lives of South Africans,’ Eskom said.
Unit 2 is expected to continue operating for approximately 412 days before entering scheduled maintenance on 26 April this year.
Although shorter than the previous 454-day operating record achieved in 2022, Eskom indicates the performance demonstrates improved management of unplanned outages.
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Picture: Eskom
