The US energy giant GE Vernova has transformed South Africa’s Sasol Secunda power plant into a cleaner, more efficient energy hub, cutting harmful emissions by 75% and conserving massive volumes of water in drought-prone Mpumalanga.

Unveiled during the Enlit Africa energy conference in Cape Town (20–22 May), the modernisation project replaces outdated pre-combustor systems with cutting-edge combustors and a fuel gas module skid, drastically boosting the performance of two 9E gas turbines at the Secunda site.

The results are nothing short of revolutionary: nitrogen oxide emissions have plummeted to well below 25 parts per million, and the elimination of water as a combustion diluent is saving the equivalent of 64 Olympic-sized swimming pools per turbine every year.

On top of this, the upgrade is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10,000 metric tonnes per turbine annually, significantly lowering the plant’s environmental footprint.

“Building on our advanced combustion technologies, we are helping Sasol address South Africa’s energy needs more efficiently,” said Joseph Anis, President and CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. “Together, we are demonstrating how advanced technologies can deliver tangible benefits for both businesses and communities.”

But the benefits don’t stop at sustainability. The upgraded systems are also extending maintenance intervals, cutting operational costs, and improving power reliability, offering a timely boost to the country’s struggling energy grid.

With South Africa grappling with energy insecurity and mounting environmental concerns, the Secunda plant’s transformation stands as a powerful example of how technology-driven partnerships can deliver lasting value to both business and community.