Etana to provide wind, solar power for Tharisa Mine in South Africa

Cyprus-headquartered chrome and platinum miner Tharisa plc announced this week that it has sealed a deal with energy trader Etana Energy to procure wheeled renewable power from wind and solar farms for its Tharisa Mine in South Africa.

Tharisa has entered into a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) that will cover up to 44% of the power demand at the mine which is located on the country’ western limb of the Bushveld Complex. The clean power will be sourced from facilities in the Western Cape and Northern Cape using the existing electricity transmission grid.

The PPA will come into force in 2026. It will add to a 40-MW solar plant being developed at the site by local units of TotalEnergies and Chariot which will produce enough electricity to meet 30% of the energy needs of Tharisa Minerals.

Etana is one of five licensed energy traders in South Africa. It secured its 25-year licence in May 2022.