Name of the Project
DRDGold solar power plant and battery energy storage system (BESS).

Location
The project will be equidistant between the Ergo plant and the Brakpan/Withok tailings storage facility (TSF), in Gauteng, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
DRDGold.

Project Description
The project entails upgrading the existing supply line to DRDGold’s Brakpan/Withok TSF to an 88 kVA line and the construction of an initial 20 MW photovoltaic plan, comprising about 44 000 solar panels (Phase 1). 

Phase 2 of the project is designed to ultimately generate 60 MW of power to supply the Ergo plant and Brakpan/Withok TSF, and includes the installation of the BESS.

The BESS will comprise a lithium battery-based solution, capable of providing up to 100 MWh of power for the Ergo plant and the TSF. The BESS will comprise ten power storage facilities of 10 MW each.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
About R2-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Phase 1 and related infrastructure at Ergo is expected to be operational in six to nine months.

Phase 2 is forecasted to be completed 12 to 18 months after Phase 1.

Latest Developments
DRDGold reported in its results for the six months ended December 31, 2022, that civils on Phase 1 of the solar farm had started.

The aim is to have the plant running by financial year end.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
R&A Strategic Communications on behalf of DRDGold, Jane Kamau, tel +27 11 880 3924 or email jane@rasc.co.za.