Eskom Welcomes IRP 2025 as South Africa Charts Path to Low-Carbon Energy Future

20 October 2025

Eskom Embraces New Energy Roadmap as Key to SA's Future

Eskom has officially welcomed the newly launched Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025, describing it as a "clear investment roadmap" that will guide South Africa's transition from high-carbon to low-carbon energy sources while balancing multiple national priorities.

According to Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane, the plan represents more than a policy update, instead providing a framework to attract urgent investment in the electricity sector while addressing energy security, affordability, and environmental sustainability.

A Blueprint for Energy Transition

The IRP 2025 aims to chart South Africa's electricity future in a context of significant economic challenges, with national unemployment at 30% and youth unemployment exceeding 50%. Eskom highlighted that the plan emerged from extensive consultation, incorporating input from more than 4,000 interested parties.

"The IRP 2025 signals to investors, regulators, and our citizens that South Africa has a focussed pathway to reach NetZero inclusively," Marokane said in the statement. He emphasized that the plan "provides the opportunity for Eskom to play its role fairly and compete in a reformed electricity supply industry."

Investment Framework

A critical aspect of the IRP 2025 implementation will be attracting rapid investment. Marokane stressed that this would only happen through "rules-based regulatory reform anchored in law" that gives investors the confidence to deploy capital in South Africa.

The utility indicated it would conduct a thorough review of the plan and subsequently publish a comprehensive response along with an updated strategic plan.

Loadshedding "Largely Behind Us"

In a significant statement on the current state of power generation, Marokane claimed that loadshedding is "largely behind us" and that the country again has continuous 24/7 electricity supply—what he referred to as baseload capacity.

He positioned this stable power supply as essential for renewable energy growth, stating that "renewables are variable in nature and need reliable, continuous baseload to maintain grid stability and supply."

Financial Recovery

The statement also highlighted Eskom's return to profitability "for the first time in eight years," attributing this to "long-term structural operational improvements." Marokane suggested this financial recovery, combined with Eskom's skilled workforce, would increase investor confidence in the utility's ability to deliver on the IRP 2025 with partners.

Outlook

Looking ahead, Eskom remains committed to executing its Generation Recovery Plan while enhancing governance structures and managing financial and operational risks. These efforts align with the utility's broader objectives of ensuring long-term sustainability, securing energy supply, and contributing to South Africa's economy.

However, the actual pace of implementation will depend on securing the significant investment required and navigating the complex regulatory reforms needed to create an environment conducive to that investment.

Key Terms Explained

Baseload Capacity: The minimum level of electricity demand that needs to be supplied continuously, 24/7, regardless of changes in overall demand. Traditionally provided by coal, nuclear, or large hydro plants that can run consistently, unlike wind or solar which depend on weather conditions.

Integrated Resource Plan (IRP): A long-term electricity planning document that outlines how South Africa will meet its future power needs, including what types of generation (coal, nuclear, renewable) will be built, when, and in what quantities.

NetZero: A target state where greenhouse gas emissions produced are balanced by the amount removed from the atmosphere, resulting in no net increase in atmospheric carbon. South Africa has committed to reaching NetZero by 2050.