Medupi Unit 4 Is Back And It’s a Win in the Fight Against Load Shedding

Eskom’s early return of a key power unit adds 800MW to the grid, signaling a long-awaited shift in South Africa’s energy crisis

In a rare turn of good news for South Africa’s electricity saga, Medupi Unit 4 , crippled by an explosion in 2021, is officially back in action, eight months ahead of schedule. And with it comes an 800MW boost to the national grid, a development Eskom is proudly touting as “another nail in the load shedding coffin.”

After years of uncertainty, frustration, and countless hours in the dark, South Africans are right to welcome this milestone with cautious optimism.

A Broken Generator, a Big Setback

Medupi Power Station in Lephalale, Limpopo, isn’t just another coal plant. It’s one of the largest dry-cooled, coal-fired power stations in the world and a critical piece of South Africa’s energy puzzle.

But on August 8, 2021, just before midnight, disaster struck. A hydrogen-purging procedure went wrong, triggering an explosion in Unit 4’s Generator Stator. Seven workers were treated for shock. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, but the damage was extensive. The unit went offline, and the timeline for repairs stretched into years.

Creative Engineering: Eskom Goes Dutch

Instead of waiting on a brand-new stator, which could’ve meant delays into 2026, Eskom sourced a refurbished stator from the Netherlands. This out-of-the-box fix allowed them to bypass long manufacturing delays, fast-tracking repairs at a significantly lower cost.

Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said the team’s strategy was part of the broader Generation Operational Recovery Plan, aimed at bringing lost capacity back online without busting budgets or timelines.

“With Unit 4 now operational, all six units at Medupi are online,” she confirmed. Once at full output, the station will provide 4,800MW to the national grid, nearly 10% of South Africa’s total electricity needs.

Dan Marokane: ‘This Is a Milestone’

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane hailed the early return as a strategic breakthrough, moving the power utility closer to its goal of restoring 2,500MW of stable generating capacity.

“This takes us one step closer to putting load shedding behind us. It’s a visible result of deeper, structural improvements in the generation fleet,” Marokane said. He stressed that while challenges remain, the outlook for a more resilient and reliable power system is improving.

Locals Call It ‘Medupi Magic’, But Are We Out of the Woods?

On social media, many users celebrated the news with memes and cautious cheer. “So we’re finally getting some rain from Medupi and not just in the name!” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), referring to the Setswana name “Medupi”, meaning ‘rain that soaks parched lands, bringing economic relief’.

Still, some remain skeptical. “We’ve been here before,” wrote another. “Promises, then another Stage 6.”

It’s a valid concern. Eskom has yet to disclose what exactly caused the 2021 explosion or how much the repairs cost. Transparency remains a sticking point for many South Africans still grappling with years of energy insecurity.

With Koeberg Unit 2 also recently returning to service and renewables ramping up, the tide may finally be turning in the war on load shedding. But Eskom’s ability to maintain momentum, prevent sabotage, and ensure long-term grid stability will be the true test.

For now, Medupi’s comeback is a rare victory in a long and often painful battle and a reminder that resilience, innovation, and urgency still have a place in South Africa’s energy story.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com