• Koeberg Unit 2 has operated continuously for 365 days with a 99.4% energy availability factor (EAF).
• The reactor contributes 946 MW to South Africa’s grid and is licensed to operate until 2045.
• Eskom reports a 46.7% drop in unplanned outages across its generation fleet, reflecting improved grid stability.

South Africa’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station has delivered a full year of uninterrupted operation, providing a boost to the country’s electricity supply, Eskom announced on March 10.

Unit 2 achieved 365 consecutive days online, with an average energy availability factor (EAF) of 99.4% following recent modernization works. The reactor feeds approximately 946 MW into the national grid and will remain operational until its scheduled maintenance shutdown on April 26, 2026, when it will reach an estimated 412 days of continuous production.

“The achievement demonstrates the strength of South African nuclear expertise,” said Bheki Nxumalo, Eskom Executive Director of Generation. “The successful installation of new steam generators highlights the skill and dedication of the Koeberg team.”

The Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant

Extended Licensing and National Energy Security

This milestone comes after the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) extended Unit 2’s operational license by 20 years in November 2025, allowing activity until 2045. Unit 1 received a similar extension in July 2024. Together, both reactors provide roughly 1,860 MW of baseload power.

Eskom noted improvements across the broader power system: the average EAF for the generation fleet stands at 65.31% in the current fiscal year, while unplanned outages have declined 46.7%, from 15,275 MW to 8,146 MW.

South Africa, the continent’s sole operator of civil nuclear capacity, plans to commission 5.2 GW of new nuclear generation by 2035. Koeberg’s stabilized operation represents a key step toward this expansion.

Interest in South Africa’s nuclear sector extends beyond national borders. The Nuclear Energy Summit, hosted by France and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on March 10 in Paris, drew leaders and representatives from over 60 countries, signaling renewed global attention to nuclear energy.

This article was initially published in French by Abdoullah Diop

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum