Plizio Visual Lab

Kendal Power Station

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Kendal Power Station is a major coal-fired facility located near Witbank in the Mpumalanga Province. With a generation capacity of 4,116 megawatts, it ranks as a critical asset in the South African national power grid. The standout feature of Kendal is its indirect dry-cooling system, which was the largest of its kind in the world at the time of its completion. This technology allows the station to operate with minimal water consumption, which is a significant advantage in the highveld region of Mpumalanga. The station consists of six identical generating units, each producing 686 megawatts. Constructed between 1982 and 1993, it represented a major technological advancement for the state utility Eskom. The facility's massive cooling towers are visible from a distance and dominate the local industrial landscape. Kendal is noted for its high operational reliability and plays a central role in meeting the base load requirements of the South African electricity network.

Location: South Africa
Nearby: eMalahleni (36 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Sep, Oct.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	22	21	20	17	13	10	10	13	18	20	21	21
Rain mm	120	74	72	40	12	5	3	7	15	62	90	126

📋 Practical info

🏭

What is this place?

Kendal Power Station in South Africa is one of the largest boiler houses in the world and a key part of the South African power grid. It is the largest indirect dry-cooled power station globally.

🚪

Visiting

The power station grounds are closed to the public for safety reasons. From surrounding roads and the nearby nature reserve, the distinctive cooling towers are clearly visible.

👀

Where to view it

A good viewpoint is the R547 road passing west of the station, offering a direct view of the cooling towers. The highveld east of the station also provides an elevated perspective.

🧺

Local products

In the region, mainly coal is mined and used for electricity generation. Local markets offer mining equipment and industrial products related to the power station.

📆

Active season

The station runs at full capacity year-round to ensure regional power supply. During the South African winter months (May to August), demand is often highest.

➕

Nearby

The nearby Vaal Dam Nature Reserve is a popular recreational area for water sports and fishing. The city of Vereeniging with its industrial history is also worth a visit.