Plizio Visual Lab

Kusile Power Station

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Kusile Power Station is a coal-fired power plant nearing completion near Witbank in the Mpumalanga Province. With a planned total capacity of 4,800 megawatts once all six units are operational, it will be among the largest facilities of its kind globally. Kusile is notable as the first power station in South Africa to employ Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) technology to drastically lower sulfur emissions. It utilizes high-efficiency supercritical boiler technology, which operates at higher temperatures and pressures than conventional plants. Managed by Eskom, the project is vital for stabilizing the South African national power grid. Located in a coal-rich region, the station is fed directly via conveyor belts from neighboring coal mines. Construction commenced in 2008 and, despite significant technical and financial hurdles, represents a milestone in the nation's modern industrial infrastructure.

Location: South Africa
Nearby: eMalahleni (31 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

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What is this place?

Kusile Power Station is a monumental coal-fired energy facility designed to become one of the largest globally, playing an absolutely critical role in the ongoing stabilization of South Africa's national electricity grid.

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Visiting

As a highly strategic piece of national infrastructure and an active, complex construction environment, interior public tours are generally strictly prohibited due to rigorous safety protocols and security regulations.

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Where to view it

The colossal cooling towers, soaring smokestacks, and sprawling heavy industrial infrastructure can be clearly and impressively observed from the surrounding public access highways traversing the Mpumalanga province.

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Local products

While the massive plant itself exclusively produces electricity, the nearby towns and roadside stops offer visitors various regional crafts, hearty traditional South African snacks, and practical everyday goods catering to the large workforce.

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Active season

This massive industrial site operates continuously around the clock throughout the entire year, with the most noticeable exterior logistical movements typically occurring during busy daytime construction shifts and scheduled maintenance periods.

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Nearby

Discerning travelers exploring the wider Mpumalanga region very often combine a fascinating drive past this modern industrial giant with scenic nature trips towards the famous Panorama Route or the legendary Kruger National Park.