The first of Grootvlei's six units was commissioned in 1969. In 1989 three units were mothballed and in 1990 the other three followed. Due to the power crisis being experienced in South Africa, Eskom decided to return the station to service. By 2008 two of Grootvlei's units were back online, providing 585MW to the national grid.

Grootvlei's units 5 and 6 were the first test facilities for dry cooling in South Africa. Unit 6 has an indirect dry cooling system.

The Grootvlei Coal Power Plant consists of six 200MW units for a total installed capacity of 1,200MW. Turbine Maximum Continuous Rating is 32.90%.