MechChem Africa January-February 2025

⎪ PowerGen,PetroChem and Sustainable energy management ⎪

Renewable energy for Lebalelo’s transformative water infrastructure

SPS’ solar photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) solution will provide power to key infrastructure for the first stage of a vital water infrastructure development programme in Limpopo, known as the Olifants Management Model Programme (OMMP). T he OMMP, being implemented by the Lebalelo Water User Association (LWUA), is a public-private collabora tion between institutional members of

As part of the contract for Phase 2B & 2B+ of the OMMP, SPS will employ leading-edge solar and battery

Government;andcommercialmembersinthepri vatesector,includingminingcompaniesandindus trial users. The programme involves constructing 200kmofbulkrawwaterpipelinesand675kmof potable water pipelines, along with several pump stations, reservoirs and water treatment works. Rolled out in phases, the programme fast-tracks bulk raw and potable water supply infrastructure for communities and commercial users, including mines and industrial users, in Sekhukhune and Mogalakwena. It also optimises existing infrastruc ture and water supply of the De Hoop and Flag Boshielo Dams in the Middle Olifants catchment, and enhances water supply to the Polokwane Local Municipality, which currently faces a 30 M / day water shortfall. Renewable energy-powered water supply As part of the contract for Phase 2B & 2B+ of the OMMP, SPS will employ leading-edge solar and battery technologies to power key infrastructure for a duration of 25 years. These two phases of the OMMP programme includes a new pipeline that will transport bulk raw water from the Flag Boshielo Dam to reservoirs acrosstheNorthernLimboftheBushveldIgneous Complex. From there, 40% of the water will supply mines, and 60% will be treated at water treatment plants in Mokopane and Sekuruwe to provide potable water to 140 000 community members to addressing Mokopane’s water shortfall. The solar energy capacity will start at 16 MWp for phase one, increasing over two further phases over the next 10 years to 23 MWp in the final phase. In addition, a BESS with a capacity of 13.3 MWh will ensure a reli able and sustainable power supply for the three pump stations under construction, each to be equippedwithtwo3.5MWpumps.Therenewable energy system (RES) will provide all operational and auxiliary power to the three pump stations, as their current locations prevent connection to the utility grid. Phase 2B and 2B+, which includes the RES and the construction of the bulk raw water pipelines, pump stations, reservoirs and two water treat ment works in the Northern Limb, is expected

technologies to power key

infrastructure for a duration of 25 years.

to be completed within 28 months following the final contracting. Valued at R800-million in its initial invest ment, SPS’ contract is an integral part of the largerOMMP,whichisoptimisingandaccelerating the completion of the Government-conceived Olifants River Water Resources Development Project (ORWRDP) and expanding its scope to include potable water infrastructure. LWUA, with more than two decades of experience, already serves communities in Sekhukhune through its bulk raw water supply to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) infrastructure, and commercial users, including platinum and chrome mining operations. The steady water supply provided by the OMMP will be crucial for current and future mining processes in the areas tobeserved,improvingbothproductionefficiency, operational reliability and expansion possibilities, while contributing to local economic growth. Says Bertus Bierman, CEO of Lebalelo Water User Association: “SPS emerged as the successful bidder in a competitive tender process, showcas ing their extensive expertise, flexibility and ability to tailor funding solutions. Their innovative ap proach to integrating renewable technologies and sustainable practices positions them uniquely to meet the energy needs of the Association’s expan sion into the Northern Limb through the OMMP.” “This project is an exciting pivot for SPS,” says Paul Rosenbrock, Business Developer at SPS. “We are leveraging our renewable energy expertise to make a tangible difference in communities that need it most. By supplying a renewable energy solution that will pump bulk raw water into areas currently lacking access, we are not only support

ingtheminingsectorbutfundamentallyimproving the quality of life for thousands of people.” TheRESwillalsohaveaprofoundenvironmen tal impact, reducing over 13 million kilograms of carbonemissionsannuallybyeliminatingtheneed for diesel generators. Social and economic development Inaccordancewithtenderrequirements,1%ofthe project value will be allocated to socio-economic development (SED) initiatives. This will ensure that local communities benefit directly from the investment through potable water, enterprise development, education and connectivity. A key SED initiative that forms part of the OMMP is the School Upgrade Programme, which provides essential infrastructure to schools across Limpopo to foster educational advancement. Beyond water security, the programme will fuel industrial development and regional growth in Sekhukhune, Mogalakwena and Polokwane. The impact is far reaching as the full OMMP is expected to create around 42 000 jobs, direct, indirect and induced, thus bolstering the local economy. “Winning this contract is a testament to our team's commitment,” says Anja Visagie, Head of Project Development at SPS. “SPS is not just enhancing water security but we’re also contrib uting long-term economic growth, job creation and community empowerment. “Furthermore, this kind of renewable energy solution can be replicated for other industries that don’t have access to the grid, offering reliable power at competitive rates compared to utility connec tions,” she concludes. https://sps.africa

January-February 2025 • MechChem Africa ¦ 15