South Africa Launches Phase 1 of High-Efficiency Low-Emission Coal Technology Programme

CSIR, Eskom, and partners launch Phase 1 of the HELE CFB programme to develop high-efficiency, low-emission coal technology in South Africa.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 6:38 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Engineering News

Collaborative Effort for a Resilient Energy Future

A powerful consortium comprising the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), State-owned utility Eskom, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), and the Coaltech Research Association has formally launched the High Efficiency Low Emission (HELE) Circulating Fluidised Bed (CFB) Clean Coal Technology Localisation Programme. This joint effort is a strategic response to South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025, which underscores the continued relevance of coal in the national energy mix while mandating a shift toward cleaner and more flexible generating technologies.

Modernizing the National Generating Fleet

The IRP 2025 emphasizes that coal will remain a critical component of South Africa's energy security in the short to medium term. However, the plan also stresses the urgent need to improve the reliability and environmental performance of existing coal-fired power stations. The HELE CFB programme is specifically designed to address these priorities by evaluating technologies that can operate efficiently within a diversifying electricity system. Phase 1 of the programme focuses on the feasibility assessments, engineering designs, and readiness work required to establish a modern pilot-scale test facility within the country.

Generating Evidence-Based Insights

The primary goal of Phase 1 is to produce rigorous scientific and regulatory insights to support national decision-making regarding the future of HELE coal technologies. By creating a localized platform for advanced coal development, the partner organizations aim to build a long-term national capability. This includes process engineering, site selection, and preparation for environmental regulatory engagements. The work also involves collaboration with international experts to ensure that South Africa’s plant performance assumptions are consistent with global best practices and the modeling framework of the IRP 2025.