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Omnia, a JSE-listed diversified chemicals company, has announced the launch of a 5-Megawatt (MW) Sasolburg Solar Plant.
Both phases of the solar project aim to augment the electricity supply at the Sasolburg plant and reduce the Groups dependency on coal-fired power sources and the national
grid.
The plant boasts over 11,000 bi-facial solar PV (photovoltaic) panels - meaning the back of the panel can absorb reflective light - boosting the solar power plants energy efficiency and generating capacity.
Alleviating the strain of South Africas energy challenges
Omnia expects to generate close to 10,500MWh a year from phase 1 development of the plant, saving at least R12 million per annum in energy costs. Together with Omnias ability to produce electricity from excess process steam from their nitric acid plants (co-generation), this will supplement between 25% and 35% of the Groups electricity requirements at the Sasolburg operations.
Both solar projects are particularly significant as the country contends with indefinite loadshedding due to constraints in the national power grid.
Seelan Gobalsamy, CEO at Omnia Group, stated: "There has been a call for all stakeholders to work together to find resolutions to the countrys energy crisis which impacts all of us. We are exceptionally proud to do our part to alleviate the electricity challenges and reduce Omnias impact on the environment/
Phase 2 of the solar plant development will lead to an additional 11,000 panels over 6,5 hectares. The management, procurement and engineering of both 6,5-hectare solar projects have been carried out in-house, utilising Omnias experienced team of professionals. Around 90 externally contracted staff managed the installation process over a 7-month period for phase 1 developments, with a similar outlook expected for phase 2. |
