Type | Capacity [MW] |
---|---|
Coal | |
OCGT | |
Wind | |
Hydro | |
Nuclear | |
Solar PV | |
Solar CSP | |
Biomass | |
Landfill gas | |
Total Capacity |
South Africa produced around 245,000 GWh of electricity in 2021.[1][2] Most of this electricity is produced using coal and is consumed domestically. In 2022, 12,300 GWh were exported to Eswatini, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other countries participating in the Southern African Power Pool.[3] In 2022, South Africa imported 10,800 GWh from the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric Power Station in Mozambique via the 1,920 MW Cahora Bassa (HDVC) Power Transmission System.[4][5]
Most power stations in South Africa are owned and operated by the state owned enterprise, Eskom. These plants account for 80% of all the electricity produced in South Africa and 45% of all electricity produced on the African continent.[6][7] In terms of share of GDP in 2012, South Africa was the 4th largest investor in renewable power in the world after Uruguay, Mauritius and Costa Rica.[8]
The following is a list of electricity generating facilities within South Africa that are larger than 1 MW capacity. It only contains currently operational facilities and facilities under construction. The net power output in megawatts is listed, i.e. the maximum power the power station can deliver to the grid.
For notable facilities that are not operating or have been decommissioned see List of decommissioned power stations in South Africa.
South Africa is the seventh biggest coal producer in the world and has rich coal deposits concentrated in the north-east of the country and as such the majority of South Africa's coal-fired plants are located in the Mpumalanga province. Around 81% of South Africa's energy needs are directly derived from coal[9] and 81% of all coal consumed domestically goes towards electricity production.[10] Historically this has given South Africa access to cheap electricity, but it is also one of the leading reasons that the country is in the top 20 list of carbon dioxide emitting countries.[11][12][13]
Power plant | Province | Coordinates | Installed capacity (MW) |
Date commissioned |
Operator | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acacia Power Station | WC | 33°53′00″S 18°32′08″E / 33.88328°S 18.53546°E | 171 | 1976 | Eskom | [42] 3x 57MW |
Ankerlig Power Station | WC | 33°35′32″S 18°27′37″E / 33.5921°S 18.4602°E | 1,327 | 2007 | Eskom | [43] 4x 148MW
5x 147MW |
Gourikwa Power Station | WC | 34°10′00″S 21°57′38″E / 34.1666°S 21.9606°E | 740 | 2007 | Eskom | [43] 5x 148MW |
Newcastle Cogeneration Plant | KZN | 27°47′08″S 29°58′11″E / 27.7854446°S 29.9695866°E | 18 | 2007 | IPSA Group | [44] 1x 18MW |
Port Rex Power Station | EC | 33°01′43″S 27°52′52″E / 33.02860°S 27.88106°E | 171 | 1976 | Eskom | [42] 3x 57MW |
Avon Peaking Power | KZN | 29°25′10″S 31°09′41″E / 29.419567°S 31.161514°E | 670 | 2016 | Engie Energy | [45][46][47] 4x 167.5MW |
Dedisa Peaking Power | EC | 33°44′33″S 25°40′22″E / 33.742364°S 25.672715°E | 335 | 2015 | Engie Energy | R3.5 billion (2015)[45][46][48][49] 2x 167.5MW |
Total: | 3,432 | 27 OCGT units |
Power plant | Province | Installed capacity (MW) |
Commissioned |
---|---|---|---|
Richards Bay Gas Power Plant | KZN | 3000 | 2028 |
Karpowership | KZN, EC, WC | 1220 | 2023 Q3
(2 x 225) Coega (2 x 225) Richards Bay (2 x 160) Saldanha Bay |
Total | 4220 |
For a more complete list of hydro power stations from large to pico size, see the African hydropower database.
Power plant | Province | Coordinates | Installed capacity (MW) |
Date commissioned (planned) |
Operator | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ingula Pumped Storage | KZN | 25°07′51″S 29°49′24″E / 25.1308986°S 29.8232463°E | 1,332 | 2017 | Eskom | [29][50][51] |
Drakensberg Pumped Storage | FS | 28°16′50″S 29°35′12″E / 28.2805°S 29.5868°E | 1,000 | 1981 | Eskom | [52] |
Palmiet Pumped Storage | WC | 400 | 1988 | Eskom | ||
Steenbras Pumped Storage | WC | 34°9′9.07″S 18°53′56.64″E / 34.1525194°S 18.8990667°E | 180 | 1979 | City of Cape Town | |
Total: | 2,912 |
For a more complete list of hydro power stations from large to pico size, see the African hydropower database.
Power plant | Province | Coordinates | Installed capacity (MW) |
Date commissioned (planned) |
Operator | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cahora Bassa Dam | Tete, Mozambique | 15°35′09″S 32°42′17″E / 15.5857°S 32.70477°E | 1,500 | 1974 | Government of Mozambique | Imported through SAPP |
Gariep | FS/EC | 30°37′25″S 25°30′23″E / 30.62361°S 25.50639°E | 360 | 1971 | Eskom | |
Van der Kloof | NC | 29°59′32″S 24°43′54″E / 29.99222°S 24.73167°E | 240 | 1977 | Eskom | |
Collywobbles / Mbashe | EC | 32°00′41″S 28°34′44″E / 32.01128°S 28.57893°E | 42 | Eskom | ||
Neusberg | NC | 32°00′02″S 28°34′59″E / 32.0004882°S 28.5830082°E | 10 | Kakamas Hydro Electric Power | ||
Second Falls | EC | 31°41′10″S 28°53′00″E / 31.686164°S 28.883307°E | 11 | Eskom | ||
First Falls | EC | 31°35′58″S 28°49′07″E / 31.59958°S 28.81858°E | 6 | Eskom | ||
Deelkraal I | GP | 5.04 | Private | |||
Western Deep Level 45 | GP | 4.79 | Private | |||
Saaiplaas | MP | 4.59 | Private | |||
Kloof 1 | GP | 4.52 | Private | |||
East Driefontein | GP | 4.48 | Private | |||
Stortemelk | FS | 4.47 | Private | |||
Vaal Reef 3 | NW/FS | 4.33 | Private | |||
President Steyn | GP | 4.15 | Private | |||
Kruisvallei Hydro | FS | 4 | Private | |||
Merino Power Station | FS | 28°21′49.47″S 28°21′42.21″E / 28.3637417°S 28.3617250°E | 4 | 2010 | Bethlehem Hydro | |
Bethlehem hydro Merino plant | FS | 4 | Private | |||
Elandsrand | GP | 3.83 | Private | |||
Western Deep Level 55 | GP | 3.78 | Private | |||
Vaal Reefs 9 | NW/FS | 3.46 | Private | |||
Bethlehem hydro Sol Plaatje plant | GP | 3 | Private | |||
Sol Plaatje Power Station | FS | 28°12′58.78″S 28°21′49.00″E / 28.2163278°S 28.3636111°E | 3 | 2009 | Bethlehem Hydro | |
Western Area 1 | GP | 2.97 | Private | |||
Western Deep Level 70 | GP | 2.67 | Private | |||
Lydenburg | WC | 2.6 | Private | |||
Friedenheim Hydroelectric Power Station | MP | 25°27′05″S 30°58′54″E / 25.45142°S 30.98157°E | 2.5 | 1987 | Freidenheim Irrigation Board | |
Ncora | WC | 2.4 | Private | |||
Elandsrand Level 53 | GP | 2.39 | Private | |||
Geduld 2 | WC | 2.39 | Private | |||
Kloof 4 | WC | 2.28 | Private | |||
Ncora Dam Ncora Power Station | EC | 31°47′15″S 27°40′1″E / 31.78750°S 27.66694°E | 2.1 | Eskom | ||
Lydenburg Hydroelectric Power Station | MP | 24°59′52″S 30°26′21″E / 24.9978°S 30.43924°E | 2.1 | 2014 | Thaba Chweu Local Municipality | |
Elandsrand Level 71 | GP | 2.01 | Private | |||
Friedenheim | WC | 2 | Private | |||
L Ormarins upper | WC | 2 | Private | |||
Geduld 1 | GP | 1.98 | Private | |||
Vaal Reefs 1 | NW/FS | 1.86 | Private | |||
Western Deep | GP | 1.72 | Private | |||
Vaal Reefs 2 | NW/FS | 1.67 | Private | |||
President Brand | GP | 1.62 | Private | |||
Vaal Reef 4 | NW/FS | 1.62 | Private | |||
Kinross | WC | 1.61 | Private | |||
Faure Water Treatment Plant | GP | 1.48 | Private | |||
Elandsrand | GP | 1.47 | Private | |||
Western Area 2 | GP | 1.34 | Private | |||
Winkelhaak | WC | 1.32 | Private | |||
Bakenkop Hydroelectric Power Station | MP | 27°5′7.8″S 30°56′44.7″E / 27.085500°S 30.945750°E | 1 | 1950 | Piet Retief | |
Total: | 2,283 |
The two reactors at Koeberg are (as of 2017) the only commercial nuclear power plants on the African continent[53] and accounts for around 5% of South Africa's electricity production.[6] Low and intermediate waste is disposed of at Vaalputs Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility in the Northern Cape.
Power plant | Province | Coordinates | Capacity (MW) |
Annual output (GWh) |
Capacity factor % |
Date commissioned |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station | WC | 33°40′35.2″S 18°25′55.37″E / 33.676444°S 18.4320472°E | 1,860 | 13,668 | 84 | 1984 | [53][54] |
As of 2023, South Africa has 37 operating wind farms with a total installed capacity of about 3,560 MW.
The Department of Energy (DOE) implemented the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). This is a tender process consisting of "Rounds" where the cheapest tariff and most competitive Economic Development score is awarded a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Eskom (the state-owned utility) as the Off-taker. The National Treasury has fully underwritten the PPAs. The South African Department of Energy allocated 634 MW of wind capacity in the – bid window 1.[55][56][57]
In bid window 2, 562.5 MW capacity was allocated.[58][59] In bid window 3, 787 MW were allocated.[60] In bid window 4, 676 MW was awarded.[61][62] In bid window 4 (additional), 687 MW was added.[63]
Concentrated solar power uses molten salt energy storage in a tower or trough configurations.
The South African Department of Energy allocated 150 MW of concentrated solar power (CSP) capacity in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme – bid window 1.[55][56][57] In the Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme: window 2, a capacity of 50 MW was allocated[58][59] In the Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme: window 3, a capacity of 200 MW was allocated.[80] In an additional bid allocation, bid window 3.5, a further 200 MW was allocated.
The South African Department of Energy allocated 631.53 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme – bid window 1.[55][56][57] In the Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme bid window 2, a capacity of 417.1 MW was allocated.[58][59][103] In bid window 3, 435 MW was awarded.[60] In bid window 4, 415 MW was awarded.[61] In bid window 4(+), 398 MW was added.[104]
Hybrid power station | Community | Coordinates | Capacity | Completed | Owner | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oya Hybrid Power Station[202] | Breede Valley, Western Cape | 32°49′23″S 20°17′57″E / 32.82306°S 20.29917°E | 155 MW (Solar) 242 MWh (Bess) 86 MW (Wind) |
2026 Expected | Oya Energy | [203] |
Power Plant | Province | Installed capacity (MW) (planned) |
Coordinates | Date commissioned (expected) |
Operator | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joburg Landfill Gas to Electricity - Marie Louise | GP | 4.76 | -26.19172 | 27.88122 | 2014–2016 | ENER-G Systems Joburg (Pty) Ltd | |
Joburg Landfill Gas to Electricity - Goudkoppies | GP | 4.04 | -26.28223 | 27.92717 | 2014–2016 | ||
Joburg Landfill Gas to Electricity - Linbro Park | GP | 3.17 | -26.09375 | 28.12133 | 2014–2016 | ||
Joburg Landfill Gas to Electricity - Ennerdale | GP | 1.03 | -26.36947 | 27.83272 | 2014–2016 | ||
Joburg Landfill Gas to Electricity - Robinson Deep | GP | 5 | -26.23335 | 28.04073 | 2014–2016 | ||
Mariannhill Landfill Gas to Electricity | KZN | 1 | 29°50.707′S 30°50.180′E / 29.845117°S 30.836333°E | 2006 | eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality | [204][205][206] | |
Bisasar Road Landfill Gas to Electricity | KZN | 6.5 | 2009 | [204][205] | |||
Total: | 25.5 |
Power plant | Province | Installed capacity MW (planned) |
Annual output GWh (expected) |
Date commissioned (expected) |
Operator | Latitude | Longitude | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PetroSA Biogas Project | 4,2 | (32) | 2007 | PetroSA | 34°10′26″S 21°59′05″E / 34.173811°S 21.984621°E | |||
Ngodwana Energy Project | 25 | (198) | Q3 2018 | Sappi | 25°34′41″S 30°39′32″E / 25.578097°S 30.658842°E | |||
Mkuze | (17.5) | (130) | 2023–2024 | |||||
Umfolozi Sugar Mill | KZN | 4.5 | Umfolozi Sugar Mill Pty (Ltd) | -28.442732 | 32.184034 | |||
Tongaat Felixton | KZN | 9 | Tongaat Hulett Sugar SA Ltd | -28.834445 | 31.890996 | |||
Komati Mill | MP | 8 | TSB Sugar International | -25.5544 | 31.866333 | |||
Busby Renewables Biomass Project | MP | 5 | -26.81201 | 30.44063 | ||||
George Biomass to Energy Project | WC | 5 | -33.99493 | 22.45337 | ||||
Tongaat Amatikulu | KZN | 5 | Tongaat Hulett Sugar SA Ltd | -29.045193 | 31.525656 | |||
Malelane Mill | MP | 4 | TSB Sugar International | -25.275112 | 31.333889 | |||
Illovo Eston | KZN | 2 | Illovo Sugar (South Africa) Ltd | -26.224674 | 28.187927 | |||
Total: | 71.7 |
Department of Energy Data Portal - http://redis.energy.gov.za/power-producers/
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