World Power Plants

Acacia Power Station171 MW Natural Gas

GasVerified: Feb 2026

Acacia Power Station, located in South Africa, operates as a vital gas-fired power generation facility, ranking 42nd among 232 plants in the nation. It mirrors its counterpart, also named Acacia, with a generation capacity of 171 MW, placing it fifth among the 11 gas plants in the country. Contributing only 0.24% to South Africa's total capacity of 71,899 MW, Acacia Power Station plays a subtle yet crucial role in the energy mix dominated by coal. Since its commissioning in 1976, this plant has been managed by Eskom, ensuring a consistent supply of energy through its efficient gas technology, which provides needed flexibility in meeting peak demand hours. Nestled within a robust energy ecosystem near Cape Town, Acacia Power Station is strategically positioned near significant facilities such as the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, which contributes a remarkable 1,940 MW to the grid, and the Ankerlig Power Station, which adds a total of 2,665 MW from both gas and oil sources. This regional energy cluster highlights the interdependence of different fuel types and technologies to maintain stability in the power supply. Despite its relatively small share of the national capacity, Acacia Power Station is critical in supporting the transitional phase of South Africa's energy landscape, especially as the country seeks to diversify away from coal dependency. The ongoing management by Eskom ensures that this facility plays a role in the broader goal of enhancing energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the energy sector evolves, the importance of reliable gas plants like Acacia will be vital in balancing the grid and accommodating a future increasingly reliant on renewable resources.

Capacity
171 MW
Commissioning Year
1996

30 years old

Owner
Eskom
Location
-33.8833°, 18.5355°

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

30 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 (7.5 km)

Data provenance

Source: Wikidata

Location

Coordinates:: -33.883280, 18.535460
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint490 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
330.3 Kt
674 GWh/year × 490 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
9.91 Mt
Over 30 years of operation
Closing Soon
2026
Expected to retire this year
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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