Employees: Approximately 1100

Technical detail:

• Six 600MW units
• Installed capacity: 3 600MW
• 2001 capacity: 3 450MW
• Design efficiency at rated turbine MCR (%): 37.60%
• Ramp rate: 25.00% per hour
• Average availability over last 3 years: 93.84%
• Average production over last 3 years: 25 199GWh

History: Matla Power Station was the first of the giant 3 600MW coal-fired power stations to be commissioned during the 1980's. Construction started late in 1974 and by July 1983 the station was fully operational. The station is 22 years old this year.

General: Matla is one of a few power stations in the world with a concrete boiler house superstructure, giving it an outward appearance very different from other power stations in South Africa. The use of concrete reduced the construction lead time and capital costs at a time when there was a worldwide shortage of steel.

Matla was awarded a gold award by the National Productivity Institute (NPI) in 1998.

Safety: Matla was awarded NOSCAR status by the National Occupational Safety Association (NOSA) for the 5th time in March 2001.