Voltalia is launching the first construction work on a 148 MWp solar photovoltaic power plant in Bolobedu in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The electricity produced will be sold to Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a subsidiary of the Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto.
South African and Australian miners are realizing the benefits of using renewable energy to power their mines. It not only reduces their carbon footprint, but also their costs.
Despite Rio’s recent fall from grace in Australia, where they destroyed ancient indigenous artwork for the sake of iron ore profit, they are a company that usually takes ESG issues seriously.
Rio Tinto’s mineral sands operation in South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal province, will source from the Bolobedu photovoltaic plant, which Voltalia will start building next year and finish in 2024.
It is expected to prevent 237,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent from being emitted. That’s akin to removing 50,000 or so gasmobiles from the road. While that may all seem like an altruistic move, it should be noted that RBM is expected to save money due to relatively lower electricity prices over time.
Overall, the solar project is expected to produce 700 jobs while it’s being built and 53 permanent operational jobs.
Voltalia appears to be partnering with mining companies across the African continent to provide renewable energy for industrial and community use.