GE Vernova Inc. has successfully completed the modernization of Sasol’s Secunda power plant in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Sasol, a global energy and chemical company, partnered with GE Vernova to enhance the efficiency and environmental performance of the facility by upgrading two 9E gas turbines.
The project involved replacing the existing pre-combustor system with GE Vernova’s advanced DLN1+ combustor, supported by a Fuel Gas Module (FGM) skid. The upgrade significantly improves operational efficiency and reduces carbon emissions without the need for entirely new infrastructure.
“This project exemplifies our purpose to electrify the world,” said Joseph Anis, President and CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “Building on our advanced combustion technologies, we are helping Sasol address South Africa’s energy needs more efficiently. Together, we are demonstrating how advanced technologies can deliver tangible benefits for both businesses and communities.”
Key benefits of the modernization include:
- A major reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, achieving levels well below the guaranteed 25 ppm—roughly a 75 percent decrease compared to the previous system.
- Elimination of water use for emissions control, thanks to the dry low NOx (DLN) technology. This is expected to save the equivalent of approximately 64 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water per turbine each year.
- Improved efficiency, leading to a reduction of around 10,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per gas turbine annually, in support of Sasol’s sustainability goals.
- Extended maintenance intervals, resulting in less downtime and lower operational costs.
- Increased reliability of power supply to South Africa’s national grid.
This project serves as a model for power plant modernization across Africa, demonstrating how innovative upgrades can help meet growing energy demand while reducing environmental impact.
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