Sibanye-Stillwater to develop 50 MW solar facility for gold mine

The project is designed to reduce Sibanye-Stillwater's dependence on the national electricity grid, stabilize power supply for its operations, and reduce carbon emissions. "The company designed the project to reduce its dependence on the national electricity grid, which has been under pressure due to frequent power shortages and outages. By generating its own renewable electricity, the mining company hoped not only to stabilize power supply for its operations but also to reduce carbon emissions and free up grid electricity for other users." The solar project had received required regulatory approvals and was recognized as a project of national importance. "The solar project had already received the required regulatory approvals and had even been recognized as a project of national importance." Eskom refused to grant a 'wayleave' for over a year, claiming technical and safety risks, but court documents suggested it was to protect its revenue streams by suggesting Sibanye-Stillwater transmit electricity through Eskom's network at an additional cost of around 30 percent. "Eskom refused to grant a “wayleave,” a form of administrative approval that allows infrastructure such as power lines to pass through land where the utility already has installations. For more than a year, Eskom declined to provide the permission, claiming that the project posed technical and safety risks. However, documents presented during the court proceedings indicated another possible reason behind the refusal. Eskom reportedly suggested that Sibanye-Stillwater should instead transmit electricity through Eskom’s existing network , which would involve an additional cost of around 30 percent." The High Court ruled Eskom’s refusal unlawful and ordered the utility to grant the wayleave immediately. "After reviewing the case, the High Court ruled in favor of the mining company. The judge concluded that Eskom’s refusal to grant the wayleave was unlawful and not justified under existing regulations. The court also stated that the utility had acted with an improper motive by prioritizing its commercial interests instead of supporting national policies that encourage private investment in renewable energy. In a decisive move, the court did not instruct Eskom to reconsider its decision. Instead, it ordered the utility to grant the wayleave immediately so that the solar project could proceed without further delay."