Limpopo Business 2017-18 edition

OVERVIEW Energy An

OVERVIEW Energy An energy complex is planned for Lephalale. One of South Africa’s biggest engineering projects is under way in the western part of Limpopo, the building of the Medupi power station. The facility is being built near the existing Matimba power station and the giant Exxaro coal mine at Grootgeluk. Unit 5 of Medupi Power Station has achieved commercial operation status, joining Unit 6 in supplying 800MW to the national grid. When the Medupi power plant is completed, the Lephalale area will become a petrochemical hub and energy complex. An Integrated Energy Centre (IEC) has been launched in the Fetakgomo-Greater Tubatse Municipality. Energy company Shell SA has invested R18-million in the community centre, which has created 16 jobs. IECs, an initiative of the national Department of Energy (DoE), are one-stop energy shops that assists local residents in getting access to energy and providing information on energy resources. The national Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has been very successful so far. Three photovoltaic solar projects located in Limpopo will generate 118MW at full capacity. Most approved projects have been solar and wind. Now planners want to promote projects using biogas, landfill gas and small-scale hydro-electric. The provincial government’s Green Economy Plan has identified solar and biomass as the main kinds of renewable energy for Limpopo. Energy generation is not the only component of the plan: with huge silicon reserves in the province, there is potential to produce solar panels and solar charges for cellphones. ONLINE RESOURCES National Department of Energy: www.energy.gov.za South African Photovoltaic Industry Association: www.sapvia.co.za South African Wind Energy Association: www.sawea.org.za Southern African Biofuels Association: www.saba.za.org Sustainable Energy Africa: www.sustainable.org.za SECTOR INSIGHT Solar and biomass hold great potential in Limpopo. Nine biogas digesters have been installed in the Vhembe District to be controlled by young entrepreneurs trained by the University of Venda. A group of 31 students is studying Energy Management Systems as part of the provincial plan. The mining and agricultural sectors are the two biggest and most important sectors of the Limpopo provincial economy. They are big consumers of energy and they hold the key to advancing alternate technologies. Implats recently negotiated the supply of natural gas supply to its refinery in Springs. Phase one of the project will see 20 Doosan fuel cells generating 8MW of power. The long-term goal is to generate 22-30MW. Anglo Platinum has launched an underground mining locomotive powered by a fuel cell. Platinum coating greatly enhances the hydrogen absorption capacity of fuel cells. Mining group Exxaro is sponsoring the rollout of alternative energy near its remote Tshikondeni mine east of Musina. LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2017/18 62

Water Major bulk water projects are under way. OVERVIEW Several major projects are currently being carried out in Limpopo, including bulk water schemes at Mooihoek/ Tubatse, Sekhukhune and Moutse. The completion of the De Hoop Dam has made possible the provision of water to many communities in the eastern part of Limpopo. The building of the dam is part of the greater Olifants River Water Resources Development Project. Five other water projects and 65 associated schemes in the Sekhukhune District are delivering other water infrastructure, including pipes to get water to Moutse from the Loskop Dam. In the 2017/18 financial year, the provincial government has committed to providing 210 more schools with potable drinking water and 185 more schools with decent sanitation facilities. The mining and agriculture sectors are heavily dependent on a steady and sustainable supply of water. Several Limpopo towns have struggled to supply clean water to residents, and this has led to tension between residents and municipal officials. In response, the national Minister of Public Works has put together a technical team to support the municipalities. Limpopo has very different rainfall patterns in its three main geographical regions: the escarpment (sub-humid with annual rainfall of more than 700mm); semi-arid middle veld and Highveld; and the arid and semi-arid Lowveld. The long drought that affected many parts of South Africa had a big impact in Limpopo. The provincial government declared a disaster in November 2015 and released funds to supply feed for livestock. By early 2017 the drought was broken in northern areas such as Limpopo. ONLINE RESOURCES Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism: www.ledet.gov.za National Department of Water and Sanitation: www.dwa.gov.za Olifants River Forum: www.orf.co.za South African Association of Water Utilities: www.saawu.co.za Water Institute of South Africa: www.wisa.org.za SECTOR INSIGHT Potable water will be delivered to 210 schools. The province’s rivers are under threat from the damaging effects of the mining industry, power stations, chemicals used in agriculture and from sewage treatment in catchment areas. Opportunities exist in this sector for innovative solutions. The Water and Sanitation Services branch of Polokwane Municipality operates five waterpurification plants and three sewage-purification plants. As part of its Regional Water Scheme programme, Polokwane provides water to the residents of the rural areas of Mothapo, Mothiba and Makotopong. A reservoir has been built and new pipes laid. The Capricorn District Municipality funds a water-testing laboratory on the campus of the University of Limpopo. Mocha Lab has been operating in Polokwane since 2008, and has the capability to provide services to the mining and engineering sector, as well as to water authorities. 63 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2017/18