Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Blue Horizon — a consortium of investors — has signed a power purchase agreement with independent power producer Red Rocket SA for the Overberg wind farm project in the Western Cape.
The agreement will see RBM procure 230MW of renewable energy from the Overberg wind farm, which is expected to begin construction in the first half of 2025. The project’s first energy flow is targeted for December 2026.
The deal is RBM’s third renewable energy transaction, bringing its total renewable energy procurement to about 500MW. The company aims to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
The project is expected to begin construction in the first half of 2025, with the first energy flow targeted for December 2026.
Other renewable energy procurement deals by RBM include the Bolobedu solar PV project — by the international player in renewable energy Voltalia — and the Khangela Emoyeni wind farm by Seriti Green, which is located near the town of Murraysburg in the Western Cape.
The three projects are expected to reduce RBM’s annual scope 1 and 2 emissions by about 60% from a 2018 baseline.
The MD for RBM and Rio Tinto’s iron and titanium African operations, Werner Duvenhage, highlighted the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
“This agreement is a key step towards achieving our emissions reduction targets and supports our ambition to become a more sustainable business,” he said.
Red Rocket SA’s CEO Matteo Brambilla said the partnership with RBM was a milestone in delivering innovative renewable energy solutions. “We are proud to support RBM’s commitment to a more sustainable future and look forward to continuing our partnership,” he said.
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