EnergyPolicy

South Africa’s New Energy Plan Boosts Gas Power Role While Adding Nuclear and Clean Coal Provisions

South Africa’s updated energy blueprint mandates higher utilization for gas power plants while allocating significant capacity to nuclear and clean coal technologies. The plan aims to transform the country’s electricity mix away from coal dependency while addressing infrastructure challenges.

Major Shift in South Africa’s Energy Strategy

South Africa’s Cabinet has approved a revised Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2025) that significantly alters the country’s electricity generation roadmap, according to reports from the Department of Electricity and Energy. The plan increases the minimum load factor for initial gas-to-power plants to 50% by 2030, a substantial departure from previous flexibility targets. Analysts suggest this change reflects the government’s intention to use gas generation as a cornerstone for industrial energy demand.

BusinessEnergy

Eskom Returns to Profitability After 8 Years But Faces Ongoing Operational Challenges

South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom has returned to profitability with R23.9-billion pre-tax profit for 2025, marking its first positive financial result since 2017. While reduced loadshedding and operational improvements drove the turnaround, escalating municipal debt and audit qualifications persist as major concerns for the electricity provider’s sustainability.

South Africa’s state-owned enterprise Eskom has achieved a remarkable financial turnaround, reporting R23.9-billion profit before tax for the 2025 financial year – its first profitable result in eight years. Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso welcomed the positive development in her weekly newsletter, noting that the improved performance offers significant benefits for both the power utility and the broader South Africa economy.

Operational Improvements Drive Eskom’s Financial Recovery