AFRICA EVENT REPORT POD 3 : UTILITY-SCALE RENEWABLES AND STORAGE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN MINES
INVESTING IN OVER 450 MW OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN SOUTH AFRICA
Jevon Martin, Manager - Energy and Decarbonisation, Sibanye-Stillwater Sibanye-Stillwater is an international precious metals mining company. It owns platinum group metal assets in South Africa, as well as deep level underground gold mines. In the US it has platinum group metal assets, as well as a number of portfolio projects across the globe, including lithium, nickel and copper. Sibanye-Stillwater’s South African operations account for 92% of its energy consumption. The company has adopted a 5-pronged strategy for overall decarbonization ~ 46 ~
including energy intelligence; demand side energy management to control energy waste and enhance opertional efficiencies; strategic energy sourcing; new technologies for rapid decarbonisation; and taking accountability for upstream and downstream emissions. However, the installation of renewable energy in South Africa is a special focus “its strongest lever” for decarbonisation, and as well to manage its “Eskom risk.” “We’ve continued to experience volatility in the grid emission factor which has, in certain instances stifled our decarbonisation efforts,” says Martin. “We also continue to face risk in terms of Eskom above-inflation tariff increases and unreliable electricity supply.”
