🔥 Trending Eskom Coal Station Shutdown Readiness: What You Need to Know

Eskom, South Africa's state-owned power utility, is facing significant challenges and delays in its plans to shut down coal-fired power stations, primarily due to concerns about grid stability and the country's energy security ¹².

Current Status and Delays

Eskom's CEO, Dan Marokane, has emphasized that coal power station closures must be guided by the readiness of the power system, rather than adhering to fixed deadlines ¹. This stance indicates a shift from earlier plans, as the utility grapples with ensuring a stable electricity supply for the nation ¹.

In September 2026, Eskom is expected to provide an official update on its proposed approach regarding the decommissioning of coal-fired power stations beyond 2030 ². This decision will specifically address the future of five of South Africa's oldest coal-fired power stations, determining whether they will undergo orderly shutdown, repowering, or repurposing ⁴.

Key Factors Influencing Delays

Several critical factors are contributing to the delays in Eskom's coal plant closure schedule:

System Readiness and Energy Security

The primary concern is the system's ability to maintain a reliable electricity supply without the coal plants. Eskom's CEO has explicitly stated that closures should not proceed if the power system is not ready ¹. South Africa faces the difficult task of retiring nearly half of its coal-fired capacity, which amounts to 22,000 megawatts (MW) out of 45,000 MW installed capacity ⁶. This significant reduction raises concerns about the affordability and reliability of electricity for millions ⁶.

Minimum Emission Standards Exemptions

Eskom has secured exemptions from minimum emission standards for eight of its coal-fired power stations ³. These exemptions effectively allow these plants to continue operating beyond environmental thresholds that would otherwise necessitate their closure or significant upgrades ³. This highlights the tension between environmental goals and the immediate need for power generation.

Performance of the Existing Coal Fleet

Despite efforts to improve, Eskom's coal fleet performance remains a challenge. In 2025, the energy availability factor (EAF) for the coal fleet was reported at 58%, lower than the overall figure of 62% that Eskom typically cites ⁸. Furthermore, 40% of the coal fleet spent half of 2025 offline due to breakdowns or maintenance ⁸. While Eskom reported an EAF of 65.46% as of July 17, 2026, indicating some improvement, the underlying issues with the coal fleet's reliability persist ⁹.

Lessons from Komati Power Station

The closure of the Komati power station in 2022 serves as a case study for Eskom's transition efforts ⁷¹⁰. While intended as a pilot for a just energy transition (JET), the plant remains idle without renewable energy generation three years after its shutdown ¹⁰. This experience has provided Eskom with valuable, albeit hard, lessons regarding the complexities of decommissioning and repurposing coal assets ⁷.

Future Outlook

Eskom's long-term vision, as reaffirmed in a July 2025 Enerdata report, aims to pivot towards clean energy sources by 2040, reducing the country's reliance on coal ⁵. However, this ambition is confronted by "harsh realities on the ground" ⁵. The disinvestment in coal plant maintenance between 2018 and 2023 has been cited as a trigger for a "catastrophic grid crisis" by former Eskom CEO Matshela Koko ⁵.

The upcoming September 2026 decision will be crucial in shaping the trajectory of South Africa's energy transition, balancing environmental commitments with the pressing need for a stable and affordable electricity supply ⁴.