The intersection of sustainability and operational efficiency is no longer a distant goal for the mining industry; it is a current necessity. At a recent high-level webinar hosted by EE Business Intelligence, leaders from the Minerals Council South Africa and the SOLA Group gathered to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of renewable energy, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and microgrid solutions.

As the industry prepared for the 2026 Mining Indaba, the message from the experts was clear: the transition to clean energy is the primary lever for maintaining global competitiveness and ensuring energy security in Southern Africa.

The Mining Mandate: Decarbonisation and Energy Security

Christian Teffo, Deputy Head of Techno-Economics at the Minerals Council South Africa, opened the discussion by highlighting the sheer scale of the mining industry’s impact on the South African economy. In 2025, the sector produced minerals valued at approximately 1.1 trillion Rand, contributing 5.8% to the national GDP and employing 470,000 people.

However, this massive output comes with an equally massive energy footprint. Mining and smelting operations together consume roughly 30% of South Africa’s total electricity. Teffo outlined the critical challenges currently facing the sector:

• • Skyrocketing electricity tariffs have eroded the global competitiveness of South African mines, leading to the closure of several lower-profit operations and nearly 50% of the country’s smelters.
  • Driven by the Paris Agreement and investor pressure, mining corporates are targeting Net Zero between 2030 and 2050.
  • The industry has successfully engaged with the government to deregulate generation, resulting in 18,000 MW of renewable energy projects currently registered with NERSA.

Teffo emphasised that mining is the “key driver” of new energy capacity in the country, with up to 70% of new private generation coming from the sector. He concluded that through collaboration with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and the implementation of integrated solutions like hybrid microgrids, the mining industry can lead South Africa’s energy transition.

From Generation to Flexibility: The Role of Battery Storage

Following the opening address, Jonathan Skeen, Managing Director of Commercial at SOLA, provided a deep dive into the practicalities of delivering this energy to the mines. Skeen noted that the journey of private energy wheeling has accelerated dramatically over the last six years, moving from the first 100 MW scale projects in 2021 to a market that now boasts over 3 GW of solar and wind capacity. However, as more variable renewable energy enters the grid, a new challenge emerges: the “Duck Curve”. This phenomenon occurs when a surplus of solar energy during the day harrows out demand, but leaves the system struggling to meet evening peaks.

The SOLA Strategy: Co-located BESS

Skeen argued that flexibility is the next frontier. He identified three ways mines can utilise battery storage to bridge the gap between when energy is produced and when it is needed:

1. 1. Co-location at a Wheeling Generator: Placing batteries at the solar or wind farm to change how energy is dispatched into the network.
   2. Standalone Battery: Placing a battery independently on the network.
   3. Behind-the-Meter (Load Point): Installing storage directly at the mine.

SOLA is particularly focused on co-location, which Skeen noted offers unique benefits such as mitigating “containment risk” (when there is too much solar on the grid) and providing lucrative ancillary services to balance the national network in the future.

Decarbonisation in Action: The Sibanye-Stillwater Roadmap

Dr. Muzi Dlamini, Vice President of Energy and Decarbonisation at Sibanye-Stillwater, shared critical insights into how one of the world’s largest primary producers is operationalising these technologies. His presentation centered on the practical execution of the group’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. He highlighted that Sibanye-Stillwater is already one of the market leaders in private energy procurement in South Africa.

Key pillars of their strategy include:

• • Massive Renewable Portfolio: The company has secured a 765 MW renewable energy portfolio through off-balance-sheet power purchase agreements (PPAs).
  • Significant Cost Savings: By 2028, 56% of the energy demand for their South African operations will be met by renewables, which are forecast to be up to 30% cheaper than Eskom tariffs. This shift is expected to save the company more than R1 billion annually.
  • Operational Milestones: Dr. Dlamini pointed to successful projects already coming online, such as the 89 MW Castle Wind Farm, which achieved commercial operation in early 2025.

Summary: Why Integration Matters

The webinar underscored that the future of mining energy is not just about “going green” – it is about building a hybrid, integrated system. By combining solar, wind, and battery storage, mines can achieve a much higher renewable energy coverage, moving beyond the typical 30% daytime coverage to a more stable, 24-hour supply. Furthermore, these solutions extend beyond the mine gate. Community microgrids were highlighted as a tool for local economic development, ensuring that communities surrounding mines benefit from the energy transition through improved access and reliability.

Leading the Charge: SOLA and the Mining Industry

By pioneering the integration of Battery Energy Storage (BESS) with large-scale wheeling, SOLA is transforming variable sun into the reliable, “firm” power that heavy industry requires. Ready to transition your operations to a cleaner, more cost-effective energy future? Visit our Buy Energy page today to learn how SOLA can design and deliver a bespoke wheeling and storage solution for your mine.

Watch the full Webinar below.