Global mining company, Anglo American, and clean energy firm, EDF Renewables, have vowed to expand South Africa’s renewable energy portfolio to support the resilience of the country’s national grid while accelerating its decarbonization.
To do so, Anglo American and EDF Renewables have formed a joint venture company, Envusa Energy, which plans to deploy 600 MW of wind and solar energy capacity during the first stages of operation as early as 2023.
Envusa Energy will enable the development of a regional energy ecosystem – with the company targeting to deploy between 3GW to 4GW of renewables by 2030 – in support of efforts by the South African government to catalyze economic expansion and deliver a just and inclusive energy transition.
The distributed renewables plants will be constructed at sites owned and operated by Anglo American and will be integrated with the national grid to ensure system reliability during times when the grid is stressed.
Nolitha Fakude, Chair of Anglo American’s Management Board in South Africa, stated that, “We are making great strides towards our 2040 target of carbon neutral operations, while contributing to South Africa’s just energy transition through our responsible approach. We believe that the energy transition presents a fresh opportunity for South Africa and the rest of the region to build a clean and inclusive energy ecosystem that can create significant new economic opportunities.”
“This 600 MW first tranche of projects will be added to the almost 1GW that EDF Renewables will be building or operating in the country by 2023 – including 420 MW of wind projects in REIPPP Bid Window 5, whose PPAs were signed with Eskom and the DMRE on 22 September 2022. Together, these projects further EDF Group’s CAP 2030 strategy, which aims to double our net renewable installed energy capacity worldwide (hydropower included) from 28 GW in 2015 to 60 GW by 2030,” stated Tristan de Drouas, EDF Renewables South Africa CEO.
In addition to deploying renewable systems at Anglo American sites, Envusa Energy will also venture in a series of clean energy projects and installation partnerships with communities, according to a press statement.