GE Vernova has completed a combustion system upgrade at Sasol’s Secunda power plant in Mpumalanga, retrofitting two 9E gas turbines with a DLN1+ dry low nitrogen oxide (NOx) combustor system and fuel gas module skid.
GE Vernova presented the case study as a model for cost-effective modernisation of gas-fired generation in Africa. The project was showcased at Enlit Africa 2025 in Cape Town this week.
The upgrade replaces the previous water-dilution-based pre-combustor system and has delivered a 75% reduction in NOx emissions, lowering levels “significantly below the guaranteed values of 25 ppm,” said Joseph Anis, President and CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Eliminating water as a diluent has also led to resource savings with the company estimating a reduction in water use “equivalent to about 64 Olympic pools per turbine annually”.
The technology, applied to ageing thermal infrastructure, is designed to improve performance without requiring a new build. “There was an efficiency improvement compared to the previous combustor, translating to approximately 10 000 metric tons less CO2 emitted per gas turbine,” Anis said.
The retrofit aligns with broader efforts to reduce water and air pollution in Mpumalanga where Sasol is a major industrial emitter. “This project serves as a model for modernising power plants across Africa. As the continent faces increasing energy demands, initiatives like this highlight how innovative solutions can enable more efficient energy production, with reduced emissions, without requiring entirely new infrastructure,” he said.
