The Exxaro Solar Power Station, also Lephalale Solar Power Station, is a planned 80 MW (110,000 hp) solar power plant in South Africa. The solar farm is under development by Cennergi, a subsidiary of Exxaro Resources Limited, a South African multinational mining group, active in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. The power generated here will be sold to Exxaro Coal Plc, for use in their coal mine at Grootegeluk, under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA), between the two Exxaro subsidiaries. The expected benefits to the group include (a) reduction of the group's carbon footprint (b) financial savings on energy acquisition and utilization and (c) to provide green, secure and sustainable electricity for mine operations at Grootegeluk Coal Mine.[1][2]
| Exxaro Solar Power Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Location | Lephalale, Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 23°41′02″S 27°34′23″E / 23.68389°S 27.57306°E |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction began | 1 January 2022 Expected |
| Commission date | 1 January 2023 Expected |
| Owner | Exxaro Resources Limited |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Thermal capacity | 180 GWh |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 70 MW (94,000 hp) |
Location
editThe power station will be located in the town of Lephalale, in Waterberg District, in Limpopo Province of South Africa. The solar farm will sit on the "Grootegeluk mining complex", which employs in excess of 2,000 people.[3]
The Grootegeluk mine is located about 21.5 kilometres (13 mi), west of Lephalale, the nearest town.[4] This is approximately 176 kilometres (109 mi) northwest of Modimolle, the capital of Waterberg District.[5] Grootegeluk Coal Mine is located about 246 kilometres (153 mi) west of the city of Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo Province.[6]
Overview
editExxaro Resources Limited, is in the process of integrating green energy sources into its mining processes at a number of its coal mines, Grootegeluk being the first. The mining group is also diversifying into "cleaner" minerals, including bauxite, copper and manganese. Switching to solar-powered electricity at Grootegeluk is expected to reduce the mine's carbon emissions by 35 percent.[7]
Other considerations
editCennergi, an IPP, is 100 percent owned by Exxaro Resources Limited. The IPP already operates and manages the Tsitsikamma Community Wind Power Station (95 megawatts) and the Amakhala Emoyeni Wind Power Station (134 megawatts). Both wind farms are located in Eastern Cape Province.[3]
Developments
editIn June 2022, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) gave its official approval to Cennergi, for the IPP to proceed with this development of an 80 megawatts power station. Exxaro, the parent conglomerate, plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.[8]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Nicholas Nhede (23 September 2021). "SA mining company to power coal facility with 70MW solar project". Power Engineering International. Maarssen, The Netherlands. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ RenewAfrica.Biz (22 September 2021). "Coal giant Exxaro developing 70MW solar plant to power coal operations". Renew Africa Biz News. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ a b Jean Marie Takouleu (24 September 2021). "South Africa: Exxaro accelerates sustainability with 70 MWp solar plant". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Road Distance Between Lephalale, South Africa And Grootegeluk Coal Mine" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Road Distance Between Grootegeluk Coal Mine And Modimolle, South Africa" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Road Distance Between Grootegeluk Coal Mine And Polokwane, South Africa" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 3 October 2021.}
- ^ Martin Creamer (21 September 2021). "Exxaro's Cennergi to decarbonise group's own coal mines plus mining industry". MiningWeekly.com. Johannesburg, South Africa. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (15 June 2022). "South Africa: NERSA approves 80 MWp solar project at Grootegeluk mine". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 16 June 2022.