Total Eren, Chariot to add 40 MWp of solar at Tharisa mine in S Africa

Cyprus-based chrome and platinum miner Tharisa plc (JSE:THA) has joined forces with France’s Total Eren and Africa-focused energy firm Chariot Ltd (LON:CHAR) to get electricity for a mine in South Africa from a 40-MWp solar project.

The mining group said on Friday it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the scheme, which paves the way for signing a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for the power off-take. The electricity will be procured for its Tharisa Mine in South Africa’s North West Province.

Under the agreement, Paris-based independent power producer (IPP) Total Eren and Chariot will develop, finance, build, own and operate the photovoltaic (PV) park. The produced electricity will be enough to cover Tharisa Mine’s current power needs, while power demand at the site is expected to increase over time, the miner pointed out.

Last year, Tharisa committed to lowering by 30% its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2030 and become net carbon neutral by 2050.

Total Eren and Chariot entered a three-year partnership, with an extension option, in November to jointly originate and develop wind and solar projects for mining customers in Africa.

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