Chrome and platinum miner Tharisa has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Etana Energy, for the procurement of wheeled renewable energy for the Tharisa Mine situated on the western limb of the Bushveld Complex.
In terms of the 15-year agreement, Etana will provide up to 44% of the Tharisa Mine’s electricity energy demand via wheeled energy from wind and solar farms in the Western Cape and Northern Cape, using the existing electricity transmission grid.
The wheeled energy is planned to come on stream in 2026, Tharisa said in a statement on Thursday.
This transaction will enable the Tharisa Mine to better manage its power costs and benefit from the renewable energy certificates arising from the transaction.
The wheeled energy will complement the mine’s 40MW solar power plant being developed by TotalEnergies Renewables SA and Chariot Transitional Power SA, which is designed to provide 30% of Tharisa Minerals’ energy needs.
“Importantly, the Etana PPA and the solar project will ensure that Tharisa Minerals’ drive to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2030 is well within reach while simultaneously guaranteeing predetermined power costs for a portion of power needs, with up to 76% of Tharisa Minerals’ energy needs being provided by renewable energy from 2026 onwards under these agreements,” the group said.
Etana was granted an energy trading licence in May 2022 for a period of 25 years and is one of five companies to hold energy trading licences in SA. Etana has signed several other customer PPAs, including from other mining ventures and property companies.
“This second major renewable energy project is the natural progression in our quest to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel driven energy, and a major component of creating the sustainable resources company of the future,” said Lucien Matthews, executive for special projects at Tharisa.
“With established partners in the renewable energy space, I am certain we will not only meet but exceed our carbon reduction targets both in quantum and in terms of our set timeline of 2030. I must commend the Tharisa team and our partners in the strategic and commercial swiftness in attaining this significant outcome, as both these aspects will ensure we maintain control on our operating costs base which is a vital cog in our drive for sustainability of our multigenerational resource,” Matthews said.
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