A South African mining group has secured renewable energy supply for its platinum operations in the North West.

Following the finalisation of funding, construction is set to begin on the ZAR2.5 billion solar energy plant, which is owned by independent power producer SOLA Group and renewables investment platform African Rainbow Energy (ARE), according to Mining Review Africa.

In terms of a long-lease power purchase agreement, the project will supply solar energy through the national grid to platinum mines owned by African Rainbow Minerals, the parent company of ARE.

According to SOLA the 132 MWp plant will have the capacity to produce 270 GWh of clean energy a year.

Last year, ARE and SOLA reached financial close on two 100 MW solar PV projects, worth R4 billion, to power five Tronox Mineral Sands’ operations in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

26 September 2023
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