- The project will supply about 30% of the annual energy demand in Rhovan, significantly reducing the plant’s reliance on grid-supplied electricity.
- With the commissioning scheduled for late 2024, the solar project contributes to Glencore’s broader climate strategy.
Rhovan, a vanadium mining and processing facility managed by Glencore Ferroalloys, is embarking on a transformative initiative by commencing the construction of a 25MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant near Brits in the North West province of South Africa. This project will supply approximately 30 per cent of Rhovan’s annual energy demand. It will also significantly reduce the plant’s reliance on grid-supplied electricity, leading to an estimated annual saving of over 48,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The CEO of Glencore Ferroalloys, Japie Fullard, expressed excitement about this development. He emphasised the dual impact of producing vanadium products for a low-carbon economy and simultaneously reducing the mine’s overall emissions footprint by implementing a solar plant. With the commissioning scheduled for late 2024, the solar project contributes to Glencore’s broader climate strategy. It targets the reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its industrial operations. The firm’s diverse commodity portfolio supports the global transition to a low-carbon economy.
Rhovan has engaged with the Bakwena-Ba-Magopa Community in South Africa’s North West province, seeking collaboration for community development and involving local small and medium-sized enterprises in the construction and installation of the solar plant. This project at Rhovan represents a vital step in reinforcing the operation’s sustainability initiatives, enhancing long-term commercial viability, and actively participating in creating a lower carbon and more equitable future.