Eskom clarifies R1b Koeberg payment after court battle with French contractor
This follows media reports that the French energy company won a high court order instructing the power utility to pay about R1b to the company after contractual issues.
Framatome was contracted for the Steam Generator Replacement Project at the nuclear power station in the Western Cape.
'In accordance with the contract, disputes are first referred to adjudication and, if not resolved, to arbitration.
'Two disputes were adjudicated between December 2022 and February 2023. As Eskom was not satisfied with the adjudicator's decisions, the two matters were escalated to arbitration as per the agreed process. The arbitration was held from June to July 2025, and a decision is expected in the last quarter of Eskom's financial year.
'Recent media reports appear to have mixed separate legal processes. To clarify, no new payments are currently due, and all actions taken by Eskom have been in line with the applicable legal and contractual procedures,' the power utility said in a statement yesterday.
Eskom added that although it 'disagreed with the adjudicator's decisions', it complied with the outcomes and made payments.
'All payments had been made by March 2024 as part of standard contract processes – not as penalties or fines,' the utility said.
Simultaneously, Eskom approached the courts.
'Eskom approached the Cape High Court to have the adjudicator's decisions set aside due to procedural irregularities (independent of the merits of the decisions). The court only delivered its judgment on July 17, 2025, over a year late. Eskom is currently reviewing the judgment to determine the appropriate next steps.
'We encourage the public and media to trust the integrity of this process. Eskom is following the proper legal channels to resolve these matters responsibly, and we remain committed to transparency and accountability throughout.
'Most importantly, despite these disputes, the core technical work – replacing the steam generators on Koeberg Unit 2 – has been completed. This is a major milestone that contributes to the safe and extended operation of the power station, helping to ensure energy security for the country,' Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
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