South African mining companies are actively embracing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to address the country’s electricity crisis and reduce costs and emissions, according to Juwi South Africa, a renewable energy project developer.
Due to the country’s energy shortfall, mining companies have been asked to reduce their power usage, impacting their mineral output. The mining sector consumes up to 30% of the nation’s power.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s energy sector reforms have provided momentum to private power projects by removing licensing restrictions. The country’s Minerals Council has stated that South African mining companies are collectively working on 6,500 megawatts of renewable power, with plans to generate 2,294MW of their own power by 2025.
Juwi has received numerous requests from local mines to develop renewable energy projects, and has 400 MW of EPC projects in advanced stages of development for mines in South Africa.
Key mining companies such as Anglo American Plc, Impala Platinum, and Sibanye are actively pursuing renewable power initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, achieve cost savings, and improve energy security.
Sibanye has already signed a power purchase deal for an 89MW wind project and aims to reach 550MW of renewable power by 2040.
Source: ZAWYA By Refinitiv
Image from Rustenburg PGM mine in South Africa: Stillwater-Sibanye