With load shedding once again disrupting industries across South Africa, Atlantis Foundries and Energy Partners unveiled an impressive embedded solar generation plant in a ceremony attended by the City of Cape Town’s Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Cape Town, South Africa – With recently announced load shedding disrupting industries across South Africa, Atlantis Foundries, one of Africa’s largest foundry operations, has officially unveiled its embedded solar generation project in partnership with Energy Partners.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by Cape Town Executive Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis , marks a major step towards energy security, cost efficiency and carbon reduction for the industrial sector.
A blueprint for industrial energy resilience
“This project is a blueprint for energy-intensive manufacturers looking to mitigate the risks of South Africa’s continuing energy crisis,” says Energy Partners’ Chief Executive Officer, Manie De Waal . “By embracing embedded solar generation, Atlantis Foundries is reducing grid dependence and enhancing resilience, and we are proud to partner with them in this transition.”
Pieter du Plessis, Chief Executive Officer of Atlantis Foundries, notes, “Atlantis Foundries plays a crucial role in global trade, accounting for 2% of AGOA exports and 4% of South Africa’s trade with the European Union. This project strengthens our resilience and ensures we remain globally competitive. We could not have done it alone.
“Reliable partnerships are essential to projects of this scale, and we’re proud of the remarkable collaboration between Atlantis Foundries, the City of Cape Town and Energy Partners to make it a success.”
[From left] Atlantis Foundries’ Benjamin Banzhaf, Chief Financial Officer, Pieter du Plessis, Chief Executive Officer, Geordin Hill-Lewis, Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Energy Partners’ Manie de Waal, Chief Executive Officer, and Clifford Raphiri, Chairman of the Energy Partners Board of Directors.
Economic and environmental gains
The system, engineered, financed, constructed and operated by Energy Partners, is designed to generate over 20,000 MWh annually, covering up to 20% of the foundry’s energy needs and generating electricity worth more than R35 million per year at current Eskom tariffs.
Notably, the system will also save more than 21,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, a critical strategic move in response to the increasing international pressure faced by South African exporters to comply with stricter carbon border tariffs, ESG requirements and sustainability directives, particularly from the European Union, the United States and other developed markets.
Solutions through public-private collaboration
The presence of Mayor Hill-Lewis at the unveiling underscores the vital role of public-private collaboration in addressing South Africa’s energy crisis.
“This is a remarkable, path-breaking project,” noted Mayor Hill-Lewis at the event. “The City of Cape Town is proud to facilitate investments like this, that enable future energy security and contribute to a growing economy that gets more people into work.”
Concludes de Waal, “Load shedding or not, there is no doubt that South African businesses need to take charge of their energy future. Large manufacturers can secure their own power, reduce costs and meet international sustainability standards, and Energy Partners is proud to be at the forefront of making this shift happen.”
