PPC Ltd has started operations at two new solar power plants in South Africa, marking an important step toward cleaner and more sustainable manufacturing in the cement industry. The plants are located at PPC’s Slurry facility in the North West province and the Dwaalboom plant in Limpopo.

The projects were developed in partnership with Sturdee Energy and together have a total capacity of 20 megawatts. Each site contributes 10 megawatts and has reached its Commercial Operation Date, which means both plants are now fully operational and supplying stable solar power directly to PPC’s cement manufacturing units.

A key feature of these solar plants is their “behind-the-meter” design. This means the electricity generated is used directly at the factory sites instead of being sent to the national grid. This approach helps PPC reduce its dependence on Eskom, which has faced challenges such as power shortages and load-shedding. By generating its own electricity, the company can ensure a more reliable and consistent energy supply for its operations.

The solar plants also use advanced bifacial solar panels that can capture sunlight from both sides, increasing overall power generation. In addition, the panels are installed on single-axis tracking systems that follow the movement of the sun throughout the day. This improves efficiency and allows the plants to produce more energy from morning to evening.

The environmental benefits of these projects are significant. The two solar plants are expected to reduce PPC’s carbon emissions by more than 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. This supports the company’s efforts to lower its environmental impact and move toward cleaner cement production.

The initiative reflects a growing trend among commercial and industrial companies in South Africa to invest in renewable energy solutions. Businesses are increasingly looking to reduce energy costs and improve reliability by generating their own power. PPC is also planning additional renewable projects, including a future energy wheeling arrangement that will allow solar power to be supplied to multiple locations across its operations.