- Pan African Resources (PAR), a mid-tier gold miner in South Africa, has started to leverage renewable energy to limit carbon emissions in its operations through the construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and energy trading deals.
- PAR currently produces its own solar energy, 9.975 MW at Evander and the 8.75 MW at its Barberton operations.
As part of its goal to increase its renewable energy mix to 50% by 2035, PAR has signed 10-year PPA for renewable energy with energy trader NOA. The deal will offset 10% of its current energy demand of 112 GWh.
As part the agreement energy will be wheeled from various renewable energy generation sources from across the country to its Barberton and Evander Mines in Mpumalanga plus its Mogale Tailings Retreatment operations in Gauteng.
The company plans to add 20 MW solar PV capacity at Evander and is currently conducting a feasibility study for renewable-energy infrastructure at Mogale Tailings Retreatment operations.
Related news: Eskom contests NERSA’s approval of five generation licenses – a reactionary strike against reform
NOA’s energy trading licence, along with four others granted by NERSA, is currently contested by Eskom. In a filing to the High Court, Gauteng Division, Pretoria, on 24 July 2025, Eskom alleges that NERSA’s decision represents a radical and unconsulted “new policy” threatening to “upend the entire landscape of electricity provision” in South Africa.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
