South Africa’s Harmony Gold Completes Commissioning Of 30MW Solar Photovoltaic Plant

Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited announced the successful commissioning of its 30 megawatts (MW) solar photovoltaic plants located in the Free State region. This significant milestone underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmentally responsible operations.

The operational solar plants are already supplying green energy to Harmony’s mining shafts, marking a pivotal step toward reducing the carbon footprint of its operations. The plants are expected to generate an impressive 70-gigawatt hours of renewable energy annually, contributing to Harmony’s ongoing efforts to embrace clean energy sources.

The first phase of this ambitious renewable energy initiative is predicted to result in a substantial reduction of approximately 65,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions within its inaugural 12 months of operation.

Building on this success, Harmony is gearing up for Phase 2 of its renewable energy program. Set to commence construction in December 2023, this phase is projected to be finalized by FY25 and will add a significant 137MW of additional renewable energy capacity.

To finance the first 100MW of Phase 2, Harmony has secured a green loan of R1.5 billion, an investment aimed at further solidifying its commitment to sustainable practices. The remaining 37MW will be procured through a power purchase agreement.

As a result of these endeavors, Harmony foresees substantial savings of R425 million per year in electricity costs upon completion of both Phase 1 and 2.

Peter Steenkamp, CEO of Harmony, expressed the company’s dedication to its renewable energy program, emphasizing its critical role in reducing carbon emissions, mitigating energy supply risks, and relieving strain on the national grid. The comprehensive renewable energy initiative aligns with Harmony’s long-term vision of achieving net carbon zero status by 2045. These sustainable actions underscore Harmony’s commitment to both environmental protection and its continued dedication to responsible mining practices, demonstrating its focus on “Mining with Purpose.”