Exxaro launches R1.7bn Lephalale Solar Project to power lower-carbon mining operations
The 68MW solar facility will supply renewable electricity to Grootegeluk Mine, cut emissions, improve energy security and save an estimated R100 million annually
Exxaro Resources has officially launched the Lephalale Solar Project (LSP), marking a significant milestone in the mining company’s transition towards cleaner energy and more sustainable operations.
Located adjacent to Exxaro’s Grootegeluk Mine in Lephalale, Limpopo, the behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic facility comprises 129,024 solar panels installed across 185 hectares. The plant delivers 68MW of alternating current (MWac) at the point of connection and is expected to generate approximately 176GWh of renewable electricity annually.
The renewable energy generated will supply power directly to Grootegeluk Mine, reducing the operation’s reliance on grid electricity during daylight hours while strengthening long-term energy security.
The R1.7 billion investment is Exxaro’s first utility-scale, self-generation renewable energy asset to reach commercial operation and forms part of the company’s strategy to diversify its business while lowering its carbon footprint.
“The official opening of the Lephalale Solar Project is far more than the completion of a renewable energy facility; it marks another significant milestone in the delivery of our sustainable growth and impact strategy,” said Exxaro CEO Ben Magara.
“As Exxaro’s first utility-scale, self-generation renewable energy asset to reach commercial operation, it demonstrates our ability to successfully develop, finance, construct and operate large-scale renewable energy infrastructure through our growing renewable energy business, Cennergi.”
The project operates under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Grootegeluk Mine and has also been licensed for future Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) integration. This will allow the facility to deliver more flexible and dispatchable renewable energy as market opportunities evolve.
Beyond supporting Exxaro’s decarbonisation ambitions, the solar project is expected to deliver significant operational and financial benefits.
The company estimates the facility will reduce its Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 17% while improving energy resilience through decentralised power generation. It is also expected to reduce exposure to carbon taxes and provide greater certainty over long-term electricity costs.
In addition, the Lephalale Solar Project is projected to generate annual cost savings of approximately R100 million for Grootegeluk Mine.
The commissioning of the project reflects the growing role renewable energy is playing within South Africa’s mining sector, as companies invest in self-generation projects to improve energy security, lower operating costs and support the country’s broader energy transition.
