Vedanta Zinc International Signs An Agreement With Enernet For A 12 MW Solar PV Plant In South Africa

Vedanta Resources Limited is committed to delivering sustainable and responsible growth, which creates value for both shareholders and stakeholders. The company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) vision is supported by 3 pillars: Transforming Communities, Transforming the Workplace, and Transforming the Planet for good.

Accordingly, Vedanta Zinc International (VZI), a subsidiary of Vedanta, is fully focused on robust community programmes to serve 100% of its host communities while creating the best workplace for its employees and advancing its ambition of a green zinc solution to enable the company to become water-positive and carbon-neutral.

Driven by its mission to Transform the Planet, VZI has commenced with phase 1 of its Renewable Energy Programme, signing a Power Purchase Agreement with Independent Power Producer Enernet Global (Enernet), to build, own, operate and maintain a 12MW DC Solar Photovoltaic plant for its Black Mountain Mining operations in the Northern Cape, South Africa.

The plant will generate approximately 29 gigawatt hours of electricity annually and will reduce carbon emissions by circa 25 tonnes per annum. Construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2024 and will take approximately 9 months to complete. The Project will also generate direct and indirect employment opportunities for communities within the Khâi-Ma municipal area and for the broader Namakwa District, both in the construction and 25-year operational tenor of the plant.

Enernet owns and operates hybrid power systems for mining and industrial companies designed to lower costs, reduce emissions and improve reliability. The company has over 140MW of capacity in operation, construction contracted or awarded of which 60MW is located in Africa.

“We are excited to be Vedanta’s long-term partner for power on their decarbonisation journey, working together on the roadmap, phasing, and roll-out of renewables,” said Bart Haverkamp, Enernet’s Managing Director, Africa.

VZI has further plans to decarbonise its operations through its Renewables Energy Programme and will progress into Phase 2 which will encompass entering into a new PPA.

Pushpender Singla, VZI Executive Director & CFO, concluded, “ESG is the key focus at VZI. In line with our agenda to transform the planet for the greater good, we have committed to reducing carbon emissions by 35ktons and installing 76% renewable energy by 2027. Our goal is carbon neutrality by 2040 and as such we are excited to partner with Enernet to safely complete this 12MW solar energy project, which will reduce emissions and enhance energy reliability and security, taking us one step closer to our goal.”