GLOBAL manufacturer of titanium dioxide pigment, Tronox, with operations in northern KZN and the Western Cape, is increasingly powering its South African plants with renewable energy.
In 2022, the company committed to a 200 MW solar project with South African independent power producer, SOLA Group which has been fully implemented as of April 2024. This is currently providing power to Tronox’s operations and significant employment and other economic benefits to the local community, the company said.
The SOLA Group hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at what it calls South Africa’s largest wheeling project, Selemela Solar Park in Lichtenburg last week (Tuesday). “Today is about celebrating the milestone reached when a project of this size is officially commissioned. These are the first projects of this size that have been commissioned since the licensing cap was lifted. It also symbolises an example of public-private partnerships working in unison to deliver results that benefit all of South Africa,” the SOLA Group said.
Tronox said the solar plant is expected to provide approximately 40% of Tronox’s South African electricity needs and lower its worldwide scope 1 & 2 emissions by approximately 13%.
Last month, the company took another significant step toward reducing its Scope 1 & 2 emissions with a 200 MW wind and solar power purchase agreement. The company announced that it has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with NOA Group, an integrated energy utility, for 497 GWh of total contracted energy anticipated to be served by plants with capacity in excess of 200 MW of renewable wind and solar power through fixed and flexible arrangements to Tronox’s mines and smelters in South Africa.
The Company anticipates the project should be fully implemented by the end of 2027 and is expected to reduce Tronox’s total Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions by an incremental 12% globally.
Upon completion of the latest project, approximately 70% of Tronox’s South African electricity needs will be met by renewable energy, and in-country emissions will be reduced by 54%. Tronox said South Africa is one of many countries where it is pursuing renewable energy projects to progress its decarbonisation roadmap.
“NOA is extremely excited to partner with Tronox in delivering on their long-term decarbonisation strategy through an innovative product which blends both wind and solar generation to optimise renewable energy penetration,” remarked NOA’s chief executive officer, Karel Cornelissen.
Tronox’s chief sustainability officer and head of investor relations, Jennifer Guenther, commented, “Tronox’s solar and wind renewable energy agreements with SOLA and NOA will reduce our global Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 25% compared to our 2019 baseline, marking significant progress on our decarbonisation roadmap towards net-zero carbon emissions.
“Not only is Tronox demonstrating our commitment to emissions reduction by switching from coal-based to renewable power in South Africa, but we are also implementing innovative technologies at our operating sites to protect our land, water, air and ecosystems while also investing in our products, people and communities. We firmly believe that preserving our privilege to operate is critical for our strategy today and for our future.
We will outline a number of key initiatives across emissions and waste reduction, water management, social initiatives and more in our 2023 Sustainability Report, which we expect to publish in the coming weeks, ” Guenther said in June.
