How To Unlock And Build Coal Powered Generators In Satisfactory

In Satisfactory, setting up Coal Generators is crucial for managing your early power supply. To unlock these generators, you must reach Tier 3 by completing the Space Elevator. Once unlocked, you can find Coal Power Generators in the Power tab of the build menu, adjacent to the Biomass Burner. To build a Coal Generator, you’ll need Rotors, Cables, and Reinforced Iron Plates. Due to the initial reliance on Biomass, you’ll need to be patient as you gather and craft these components.

For detailed information on unlocking Tier 3 and crafting components, visit our Satisfactory Tier 3 guide.

Simple Coal Power Plant Layout

Coal Generators require two essential resources: coal and water. Ensure both resources are readily accessible before constructing your power plant. Use Water Extractors to pump water and conveyor belts to deliver coal. Start by laying a foundation over a water body, then place a Water Extractor and a temporary Biomass Burner to power it. Position the Coal Generator and connect it to the Water Extractor and coal mining platform using pipes and belts. Once your generator is operational, you can remove the Biomass Burner and connect the Water Extractor directly to the Coal Generator.

For more layout ideas and setups, check out our Satisfactory coal power plant layouts.

Multiple Coal Generator Layout

Setting up multiple Coal Generators can be complex due to potential conflicts between pipes and belts. Conveyor Lifts, Conveyor Splitters, and Pipe Junctions are essential tools for managing these connections. This will help streamline your setup and avoid bottlenecks. Using Portable Miners is insufficient for such operations, so focus on efficient conveyor and pipeline management.

Explore advanced setup techniques in our guide to optimizing coal power plants.

Coal Generator – Water Ratio

Each Coal Generator requires 45 cubic meters of water per minute to operate at full capacity. With each Water Extractor providing 120 m³/min, the optimal ratio is eight generators per three extractors. However, be aware that Mk. 1 Pipelines can only carry 300 m³/min, which might slightly bottleneck your system but generally won’t affect operations.

For more details on optimizing water usage and pipeline setups, visit our Satisfactory water management guide.