By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Eskom plans to conduct a full-scale biomass-and-coal co-firing demonstration at Kriel Power Station by March 2027 as it advances clean-coal, carbon-capture, green hydrogen and other technologies aimed at improving the performance and sustainability of South Africa’s electricity system.
The utility outlined its plans after Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa visited its Research, Testing and Development (RT&D) facility in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Eskom said the visit demonstrated progress in clean coal, green hydrogen and other technologies aimed at strengthening operational performance, national energy security and a responsible energy transition, while building the capabilities needed to provide reliable, affordable and competitive electricity over the long term.
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Pilot-scale testing of torrefied woody and corn biomass was conducted in December 2025.
Testing at a 20% co-firing ratio indicated reductions in carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, with the full-scale demonstration planned at Kriel Power Station by March 2027.
Eskom said its clean-coal portfolio includes Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS); Direct Sorbent Injection Flue Gas Desulphurisation; co-firing; and High-Efficiency, Low-Emission (HELE) technologies.
About 45% of listed projects under Eskom’s emissions-reduction programme have been reported as completed, with the programme currently on schedule.
CCUS feasibility studies were concluded in 2025.
“The next stage is to finalise engineering studies for a proposed carbon-capture demonstration plant at Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga, designed to capture 22 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year,” Eskom said.
“Eskom is also progressing HELE engineering development towards a technology demonstration by 2030. Pilot-scale testing of torrefied woody and corn biomass was conducted in December 2025.”
Direct Sorbent Injection testing is also informing cost-effective sulphur dioxide reduction options for selected power stations.
“By improving plant efficiency, reducing environmental compliance costs and identifying opportunities to optimise the performance of existing assets, these technologies have the potential to support more cost-effective electricity production while contributing to long-term system sustainability,” Eskom said.
Eskom said its clean-coal research programme was on track to meet the target set in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025, South Africa’s R2.1 trillion energy investment plan, which directs Eskom to pilot advanced domestic clean-coal technologies and evaluate their local efficacy and emissions-reduction potential by 2030.
During Ramokgopa’s visit, the minister viewed pilot-scale demonstrations at the Eskom Research and Innovation Centre, including the co-firing of ammonia with coal and, separately, torrefied biomass with coal.
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“The demonstrations illustrated RT&D’s ability to translate research into practical solutions that can be tested, validated and ultimately deployed under South African operating conditions, helping Eskom improve efficiency, environmental performance and long-term value for customers,” Eskom said.
Alongside clean-coal research, Eskom said it was advancing work in green hydrogen, long-duration energy storage, Small Modular Reactor technologies, Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems, high-efficiency hybrid concentrator photovoltaics and battery energy storage systems.
The Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems research facility provides an integrated platform for evaluating grid stability and grid-forming technologies at high levels of renewable-energy penetration and variability.
“It also supports the assessment of emerging renewable-energy, storage, monitoring and grid-stability technologies, supporting a more resilient electricity network capable of meeting the evolving needs of customers and the economy,” Eskom said.
“Together, these programmes expand Eskom’s future technology options while supporting a cleaner, more flexible and resilient electricity system for South Africa. Evaluating multiple technology pathways allows Eskom to identify solutions that are technically viable, commercially practical, and best suited to South African conditions before committing to large-scale deployment.”
The visit came two days after Eskom released its FY2025/26 annual results.
The utility reported a profit after tax of R30.3 billion for a second consecutive profitable year, achieving R22.4 billion in savings through its Cost Optimisation and Revenue Enhancement (CORE) programme, and improving its EAF to 65.16%.
