World Power Plants

Acacia Power Station, a gas-fired power generation facility in South Africa, ranks 42nd among the country's 232 plants, showcasing its modest yet important role in the national energy landscape. With a generation capacity of 171 MW, Acacia represents the fifth rank among South Africa's gas plants, contributing a mere 0.24% to the country's total capacity of 71,899 MW. Commissioned in 1976, this facility operates under the auspices of Eskom, South Africa's state-owned power utility, which plays a pivotal role in the country's energy supply. Acacia's gas-fired technology is designed to provide flexible, responsive power generation, particularly essential during peak demand periods. Situated near Cape Town, Acacia is part of a significant energy cluster that includes the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, which boasts a staggering 1,940 MW capacity, and other notable facilities like the Ankerlig Power Station with both gas and oil capabilities (1,338 MW and 1,327 MW respectively). This proximity to larger facilities amplifies Acacia's importance as part of a broader energy strategy in a country where coal remains the dominant fuel source. As South Africa navigates its energy transition challenges, the role of gas plants like Acacia is critical in providing a stable bridge towards a cleaner energy future. While the facility's share of national capacity may be minimal, its operational reliability supports the overall stability of the grid. As Eskom continues to face various operational hurdles, the significance of Acacia and similar facilities in providing dependable energy solutions will remain paramount in the years ahead.

Capacity
171 MW
Commissioning Year
1976

50 years old

Owner
Eskom
Location
-33.8841°, 18.5336°

South Africa, Africa

Context & rankings
  • 42. largest of 232 plants in South Africa
  • #7,955 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,773 of 5,146 Natural Gas plants worldwide
  • 0.24% of the installed capacity of South Africa
Age & fleet comparison

50 years in operation

Natural Gas fleet average: 26.9 years

Operator portfolio

Eskom operates 53 plants totalling 61,395 MW

Regional density

22 plants within 100 km, 8,188 MW combined

Nearest plant: Athlone Power Station (7.3 km)

Data provenance

Source: Eskom

Location

Coordinates:: -33.884100, 18.533600
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Carbon Footprint490 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
330.3 Kt
674 GWh/year × 490 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
16.52 Mt
Over 50 years of operation
Past Retirement
2006
20 years past expected retirement
Annual emissions equivalent to
71.8K
cars per year
44.0K
homes per year
15.0M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Gas emission factor (490 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (45%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Gas
Energy Source
Non-Renewable
Country
South Africa
Continent
Africa
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

South AfricaEnergy Profile

232
Total Plants
71.9 GW
Total Capacity
CoalHydroSolarGas
Top Fuels

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