Name of the Project
Ngodwana biomass project.

Location
The plant will be erected adjacent to the Sappi Ngodwana mill, in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Client
Ngodwana Energy, a subsidiary of Sappi Southern Africa, together with KC Africa and African Rainbow Energy and Power.

Project Description
The project forms part of government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme signed in April this year. The project involves the construction of a 25 MW woodchip biomass plant. The plant will use biomass recovered from surrounding plantations and screened waste material from the mill production process. It will burn up to 35 t/hr of biomass in a boiler to generate steam and drive a turbine to generate electricity, which will be fed into the grid.

A high-efficiency air pollution control system will be used on the boiler flue gas to ensure that emissions are below the new South African requirements.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Value
R1.8-billion.

Duration
The project is expected to start construction in August this year and will take up to 27 months to complete.

Latest Developments
Official site clearing and preparation for earthworks have started at Ngodwana Energy’s biomass power project.

The ELB-KCC Consortium, which comprises ELB Engineering Services, KC Cottrell (KCC) and the ELB Educational Trust, has been appointed engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project.

ELB will start the site clearing, geotechnical drilling, access roads and connection of services such as water, power and sewage.

Bulk earthworks will start thereafter so that piling can start for the power island buildings.

KCC has awarded the contract for the boiler and turbine generator and are busy with the other major packages in the power island.

Apart from technical execution, engagement with the local community has also started to discuss the economic development opportunities made available as a result of the project.

Korea-based KCC will provide the power island, comprising a boiler, turbine generator, cooling towers and an air pollution control system, while ELB will be responsible for the civil work, fuel handling, electrical switchyard and site erection.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
ELB Engineering Services, KCC and the ELB Educational Trust (EPC contract); KCC (power island, comprising a boiler, turbine generator, cooling towers and an air pollution control system); and ELB (civil work, fuel handling, electrical switchyard and site erection).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Sappi Ngodwana Mill, tel +27 13 734 6111 or email NgodwanaMill@sappi.com; or email MediaQuerySA@sappi.com.