Exxaro Resources and Eskom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on strategic initiatives, research, and projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and facilitating the Just Transition.
According to a joint statement, this move is consistent with South Africa’s commitment to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, international environmental standards, and national regulatory frameworks.
“The agreement focuses on jointly measuring, managing, and reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and potentially investing in innovative technologies to drive decarbonisation.
“It also emphasises inclusive and focused transition initiatives such as skills development, job creation in green sectors, and stakeholder engagement to ensure climate resilience,” the statement read.
In addition, the MoU, which was signed on Monday, includes provisions for data sharing and transparent reporting to track progress and ensure accountability.
Exxaro Resources CEO, Ben Magara, believes that this collaboration marks a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to enabling a Just Transition and building a climate-resilient and low-carbon future.
“By leveraging our deep experience in the diversified mining and energy solutions sectors, we aim to drive innovation that not only decarbonises and reduces air pollution in our operations but also delivers meaningful socio-economic benefits for the communities we serve.
“The collaboration with Eskom is important as we work to accelerate practical and scalable solutions that support South Africa’s energy security and environmental ambitions as part of our purpose of Powering Better lives in Africa and beyond,” Magara said.
Exxaro is a South Africa-based diversified resources company with a coal business and acquisitive growth prospects in minerals and energy.
The company stated that the initial focus of the collaboration will be to identify the necessary investments and stakeholders required to develop technology-based solutions for the challenges associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy.
This effort will align with the country’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said both organisations are committed to driving the transition to a more sustainable energy future while ensuring the country’s electricity supply remains secure.
“This initiative forms part of Eskom’s focus both in this country and internationally to identify the latest developments and strategies to reduce carbon emissions and other air pollutants,” Marokane added.
Meanwhile, Exxaro stated that it remains steadfast in advancing its Sustainable Growth and Impact strategy by embedding key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) priorities into its operations.
The company is of the view that through partnerships such as this one, it is well-positioned to become carbon-neutral by 2050.
Meanwhile, Eskom’s Research, Testing & Development (RT&D) business unit will lead this partnership.
The RT&D is dedicated to finding technology solutions that can be applied primarily within the company to embrace innovation, enhance efficiency and improve operations, improvements related to emissions management, and greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement.
“Eskom remains focused on a balanced and diversified energy mix based on existing coal and nuclear and introducing gas for baseload power, as well as renewables, energy storage systems including battery energy storage systems and pumped hydro, to achieve overall security of supply and to meet South Africa’s growing electricity demand sustainably,” said the power utility. – SAnews.gov.za
