US-based energy company GE Vernova has completed a major modernisation of Sasol’s Secunda power plant, a move set to significantly reduce emissions and water consumption at the facility in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province.
The upgrade involved replacing the existing pre-combustor system with a new combustor and fuel gas module skid, enhancing the efficiency of the two installed 9E gas turbines.
A fuel gas module skid is a compact, pre-assembled system designed to process and deliver fuel gas efficiently in industrial applications.
It is used to condition fuel gas by removing impurities, regulating pressure and ensuring the gas meets the required specifications for turbines, thereby improving efficiency, reducing emissions and protecting equipment from damage caused by contaminants.
As a result, nitrogen oxide emissions at Secunda power plant have been slashed by three-quarters, falling well below the guaranteed 25 parts-per-million threshold.
Another notable improvement is the elimination of water as a diluent in the combustion process, expected to save the equivalent of 64 Olympic-sized swimming pools per turbine annually.
In addition, the efficiency enhancements is expected to result in approximately 10,000 metric tonnes less carbon dioxide emissions per gas turbine.
“Building on our advanced combustion technologies, we are helping Sasol address South Africa’s energy needs more efficiently,” said Joseph Anis, president and chief executive 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.”
Beyond environmental gains, the modernisation is expected to extend maintenance intervals, reducing plant downtime and operational costs.
It also enhances the reliability of power supplied to the national grid, reinforcing energy security in South Africa.
GE Vernova is showcasing the project at Enlit Africa, a key energy conference running from 20-22 May in Cape Town.
JN/APA