South Africa-based Marula Platinum Mine has issued a request for information (RfI) for setting up a 10 MW solar project to power its operations.

Marula sought information on how to design, finance, supply, construct, commission, operate, and maintain a 10 MW solar project at its platinum mine in Limpopo, South Africa. It also requires assessments, advice to the mine’s management, and information regarding the development, land requirements, and securing environmental and technical permits for the project.

The deadline for the RfI is October 20, 2020. It noted that parties need not quote prices, sign agreements, or submit a proposal for this process.

The company, owned by South African Holding Company Implats, explained the move citing issues with the quality of electricity supplied by its state utility Eskom which have adversely affected its production.

Additionally, Marula said that recent regulatory changes by the country’s Department of Minerals Resource and Energy allowing mining companies to use alternative sources of power, including self-generation options, to meet their production and expansion needs.

Earlier, Mercom reported that Sasol, a South Africa-based integrated chemicals and energy company, has issued a request for proposal to develop two solar projects of 10 MW at its Secunda and Sasolburg facilities. It said it would sign a long-term power purchase agreement with the successful bidder to supply electricity to its facilities. The company said it is committed to securing 600 MW of renewable energy capacity eventually, and this tender was the first step in that direction.

Previously, ArcelorMittal South Africa, a steel producer, issued a request for information to recruit independent power producers to set up solar power projects at six locations in South Africa. The company plans to enter into power purchase agreements with IPPs to build, own, and operate solar projects at Vanderbijlpark, Newcastle, Vereeniging, Pretoria, Thabazimbi, and Saldanha. These projects will be used to supply low-cost power for its operations across these sites.

Image credit: U.S. Department of the Interior / CC BY-SA