- Cennergi receives approval to deploy a solar PV plant in the Grootegeluk mine.
- The plant will have a capacity of 80MWp.
Cennergi Energy has been granted permission by South Africa’s National Energy Regulator (NERSA) to construct its Lephalale solar photovoltaic plant in the Limpopo province. The plant is expected to have an installed capacity of 80MWp.
According to a local news source, the energy generated will power the Grootegeluk mining facility. The mine, which employs over 2,000 people, is operated by Exxaro Coal, a subsidiary of Exxaro Resources. The Pretoria-based mine operator is the sole shareholder in Cennergi. However, IPP will sell the electricity to Exxaro Coal under a power purchase agreement (PPA).
In a statement noted by the firm, the facility will lead to reduced electricity bills for the mining complex and, therefore, the cost of coal mining. The installation will also secure the power supply to the Grootegeluk mining complex. Furthermore, the solar plant will reduce the mine’s carbon footprint in South Africa by accelerating the energy transition.