World Power Plants

Sasol Secunda power plant280 MW Coal

CoalVerified: Feb 2026

The Sasol Secunda power plant is a crucial facility in South Africa's energy generation landscape, primarily fueled by coal. With a capacity of 280 MW, this plant plays an essential role in meeting the energy demands of the region, particularly in the Mpumalanga province, which is known for its significant coal reserves. Positioned at coordinates -26.5590, 29.1501, the Sasol Secunda power plant is part of the larger Sasol operations, which integrate coal-to-liquids technology, allowing for the conversion of coal into synthetic fuels as well as providing electricity. The plant's operation underscores South Africa's continued reliance on coal as a primary energy source, despite ongoing discussions regarding a transition to more sustainable energy practices. The significance of the Sasol Secunda power plant goes beyond mere electricity generation; it also plays a pivotal role in the local economy, providing jobs and supporting ancillary industries. However, the government is increasingly focused on diversifying the energy mix, with initiatives aimed at increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the national grid. In this context, the Sasol Secunda power plant serves as both a backbone of the current energy infrastructure and a reminder of the challenges ahead as South Africa seeks to balance energy needs with environmental sustainability.

Capacity
280 MW
Commissioning Year
1980

46 years old

Owner
Sasol
Location
-26.5590°, 29.1501°

South Africa, Africa

Context & rankings
  • 35. largest of 232 plants in South Africa
  • #6,339 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #1,919 of 2,793 Coal plants worldwide
  • 0.39% of the installed capacity of South Africa
Age & fleet comparison

46 years in operation

Coal fleet average: 29.2 years

Operator portfolio

Sasol operates 3 plants totalling 560 MW

Regional density

14 plants within 100 km, 32,010 MW combined

Nearest plant: Matla power station (31 km)

Data provenance

Source: Wikidata

Location

Coordinates:: -26.559000, 29.150056
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint820 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
1.11 Mt
1349 GWh/year × 820 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
50.89 Mt
Over 46 years of operation
Past Retirement
2020
6 years past expected retirement
Annual emissions equivalent to
240.5K
cars per year
147.5K
homes per year
50.3M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Coal emission factor (820 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (55%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Coal
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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