The South African Minerals Commission announced that its member companies have allocated US$3.7 billion for renewable energy projects to provide up to 3,900 megawatts of electricity to help achieve the industry’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Roger Baxter, CEO of the Minerals Commission, said that renewable energy projects can help supplement the supply of the troubled state-owned power company Eskom, and the mining industry is currently participating in the research, planning and application of solar, wind and batteries. Store items.

Eskom CEO Andre DeRuyter told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee that the State Power Company will need an additional 4,000 MW to 6,000 MW of power generation to effectively maintain its existing power stations without interrupting the country’s power supply.

According to Baxter, members of the Minerals Committee have been increasing the number of renewable energy projects to power their operations, and compared to the industry’s planned target of 1,600 megawatts in 2020, power generation has increased by 146%.

“The mining industry urgently needs to supplement Eskom’s power supply,” Baxter said, adding, “but the benefits extend to supply diversification, reducing the risk of continuously rising prices, unpredictable supply, and reducing scope 2 and 3 emissions. It is in line with the industry’s commitment to achieve a net zero carbon emission target by 2050."

The South African government's early 2021 license exemption concession for embedded power generation of up to 100 MW is considered a major factor in the decision to increase the supplementary power supply of the industry by the Minerals Commission. "Renewable energy projects in the mining industry can greatly ease the pressure on Eskom and benefit other industries and the country as a whole. These projects must be accelerated through the "smart tape" system. In addition, policies related to other users' rotation fees and remaining offtakes are also required. Question," Baxter said. Editor/Xu Shengpeng