List of Power Stations in South Africa A Comprehensive Overview

South Africa is one of the leading energy producers on the African continent, with a diverse mix of power stations that fuel its economy and support millions of households. The country’s electricity generation infrastructure includes coal-fired plants, renewable energy sources, nuclear power, and hydroelectric stations. Understanding the key power stations in South Africa provides insight into the nation’s energy landscape, its challenges, and its future direction toward sustainable energy. This article presents a detailed list of major power stations in South Africa, categorized by type and significance.

Coal-Fired Power Stations

Coal remains the backbone of South Africa’s electricity generation, accounting for about 70-80% of the country’s power supply. Eskom, the state-owned utility company, operates most of these stations.

Kusile Power Station: Located in Mpumalanga, Kusile is one of the newest coal-fired plants in South Africa with a capacity of approximately 4,800 MW. It uses supercritical technology to improve efficiency.

Medupi Power Station: Also in Mpumalanga, Medupi is one of the largest dry-cooled coal-fired power plants worldwide, with a capacity of around 4,800 MW.

Matla Power Station: With a capacity of 3,600 MW, Matla is a significant contributor to South Africa’s grid.

Lethabo Power Station: Located in the Free State province, Lethabo has a capacity of about 3,708 MW.

Duvha Power Station: This plant’s capacity is approximately 3,600 MW and it plays a crucial role in energy supply.

Nuclear Power Station

South Africa is unique on the African continent for its use of nuclear energy, primarily through the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.

Koeberg Nuclear Power Station: Situated near Cape Town, Koeberg is the only nuclear power plant in Africa. It has two reactors with a combined capacity of 1,860 MW, providing a steady and reliable source of low-carbon electricity.

Renewable Energy Power Stations

In recent years, South Africa has made significant strides in expanding its renewable energy capacity to reduce reliance on coal and decrease carbon emissions.

Khi Solar One: Located in the Northern Cape, this concentrated solar power (CSP) plant has a capacity of 50 MW and uses a solar thermal system with molten salt storage.

Sere Wind Farm: Also in the Northern Cape, this wind farm has a capacity of 100 MW and contributes to the national grid with clean energy.

Jasper Solar Energy Project: This photovoltaic (PV) solar plant has a capacity of 96 MW and is one of the largest solar farms in Africa.

Hydroelectric Power Stations

While South Africa’s hydroelectric capacity is limited compared to other sources, it still plays a role in the energy mix.

Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme: This facility has a capacity of 1,000 MW and operates as a pumped-storage hydroelectric plant, helping to balance supply and demand.

Gariep Dam Hydroelectric Power Station: With a capacity of 360 MW, it is the largest conventional hydroelectric power station in South Africa.

Gas-Fired Power Stations

Gas-fired power stations provide flexibility and can quickly respond to changes in electricity demand.

Ankerlig Power Station: Located in Atlantis near Cape Town, Ankerlig has a capacity of 1,338 MW and uses gas turbines.

Port Rex Power Station: This smaller gas-fired plant contributes to the local grid with a capacity of about 200 MW.

South Africa’s power generation infrastructure is a complex blend of coal-fired, nuclear, renewable, hydroelectric, and gas-fired power stations. Coal remains the dominant energy source, but the country is increasingly investing in renewable energy projects to diversify its energy mix and address environmental concerns. Major coal plants like Kusile and Medupi continue to be critical, while Koeberg provides a unique nuclear contribution. Renewable projects such as Khi Solar One and Sere Wind Farm highlight South Africa’s commitment to cleaner energy. Hydroelectric and gas-fired stations add flexibility and balance to the national grid. As South Africa moves forward, the balance between meeting growing energy demands and sustainable development will remain a key focus.

By understanding the list and types of power stations in South Africa, stakeholders can better appreciate the country’s energy challenges and opportunities in the transition to a greener future.