Mining Company Harmony Commissions 30 MW Solar Plants in South Africa
South African precious metals miner, Harmony Gold Mining Company has commissioned 30 MW of solar plants to help power its operations. The solar plants, which are located at the company's Phakisa and Tshepong mines in the Free State, consist of 116,000 solar modules and cover an area of approximately 85 hectares. The plants are expected to provide around 21% of Harmony's total electricity consumption.
This move is part of Harmony's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and increase the use of renewable energy. The company has been exploring the use of renewable energy for some time now and has already installed a 22 MW solar plant at its Hidden Valley mine in Papua New Guinea.
The solar plants in South Africa were built by Canadian Solar, a leading global provider of solar power solutions. The company was responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of the plants and will provide ongoing operations and maintenance support.
The solar plants are expected to significantly reduce Harmony's carbon emissions, with an estimated reduction of 39,000 tonnes per year. This is equivalent to taking around 8,300 cars off the road.
Construction of the second phase of the project is expected to commence in December 2023 and be completed in FY25. Once complete, this will add a further 137 MW to Harmony's total capacity. This will bring Harmony one step closer to achieving its goal of using renewable energy for 30% of its power needs by 2030.
The commissioning of the solar plants underscores the growing demand for renewable energy in South Africa. As the country grapples with power supply challenges, many companies are looking to alternative sources of energy to meet their needs. This is particularly true for the mining sector, which is a significant consumer of electricity.
The use of solar energy has numerous benefits for mining companies. It can help reduce operating costs, improve the reliability of power supply and reduce carbon emissions. In addition, it can help companies meet their obligations under environmental regulations and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
In conclusion, the commissioning of the 30 MW solar plants by Harmony is a significant step forward for the company and for South Africa as a whole. The move underscores the growing importance of renewable energy in the country and demonstrates the potential for solar power to play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting the energy needs of the mining sector. With the construction of the second phase of the project set to commence in the near future, Harmony is poised to further increase its renewable energy capacity and help set the stage for a more sustainable future.