OVERVIEW
Energy Large energy users are going off-grid.
T
he Mogalakwena Mine run by Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) is a large energy user. The mine’s concentrator relies on constant and reliable electricity supply. With energy comprising a significant portion of costs and national utility Eskom experiencing difficulties in terms of its debt and its ability to supply reliable power, the mining company is investigating the installation of a large solar PV project. In early 2019 the project was at the “request for interest” stage. Anglo Platinum has pioneered an underground mining locomotive powered by a fuel cell. Platinum coating greatly enhances the hydrogen absorption capacity of fuel cells. Mining group Exxaro is sponsoring the roll-out of alternative energy near its remote Tshikondeni mine east of Musina. Implats is already using natural gas to supply its refinery in Springs. Phase one of the project will see 20 Doosan fuel cells generating 8MW of power. The long-term goal is to generate 22-30MW. The huge Eskom project at Medupi power station is over budget and behind in implementation. Three of the plant’s six units are operating (although there have been some problems) and two more will come on stream in 2019. When the plant is completed, the Lephalale area will become a petrochemical hub and energy complex. An Energy and Metallurgical Cluster is an important component of the new Special Economic Zone that has recently been approved at Limpopo Projects Project
MW
Location
Operational
Tom Burke Solar Park
60MW
Lephalale,
August 2016
Waterberg DM Witkop Solar
29.68MW
Polokwane
September 2014
Soutpan Solar Park
28MW
Blouberg,
July 2014
Capricorn DM
SOURCE: IPPPP, Provincial Report IV, March 2017.
ONLINE RESOURCES
The provincial government's Green Economy Plan has identified solar and biomass as the main kinds of renewable energy for Limpopo. With National Department of Energy: www.energy.gov.za huge silicon reserves in the province, there is also potential to produce Southern African solar panels and solar Biofuels charges forAssociation: cell phones. www.saba.za.org South African Photovoltaic Industry Nine biogas digesters have been installed in Association: the Vhembe District to be controlled by young entrepreneurs trained by the University of Venda. A www.sapvia.co.za group of 31 students is studying Energy Management Systems as part of the provincial plan.
59 Online resources National Department of Energy: www.energy.gov.za Southern African Biofuels Association: www.saba.za.org South African Photovoltaic Industry Association: www.sapvia.co.za
SECTOR INSIGHTS The Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will be a power generator.
Musina-Makhado in the far north of the province. The two local municipalities have been allocated R147-million by provincial government for infrastructure upgrades, including electricity. The National Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Pro cure m e nt Pro gr amm e (REIPPPP) has been very successful so far. The three photovoltaic solar projects located in Limpopo have a combined investment value of R3.6-billion. The provincial government’s Green Economy Plan has identified solar and biomass as the main kinds of renewable energy for Limpopo. With huge silicon reserves in the province, there is also potential to produce solar panels and solar chargers for cell phones. Nine biogas digesters have been installed in the Vhembe District to be controlled by young entrepreneurs trained by the University of Venda. A group of 31 students is studying Energy Management Systems as part of the provincial plan. LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2019/20
