South Africa struggles to repurpose coal-fired power plant after shutdown South Africa’s Komati coal-fired power plant has been silent since its shutdown two years ago. It was considered at the time a pioneering move in the world’s transition to green energy. But two years on, those who lost their jobs in the process are still struggling. Plans to repurpose South Africa's oldest coal power plant might be a cautionary tale for countries intending to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and switch to renewables.