As part of their carbon neutrality strategies, many companies are turning to renewable energy in South Africa. Mediclinic is no exception. The hospital group based in Stellenbosch (South Africa) has signed a partnership with Energy Exchange. This platform has been approved by the South African energy authorities to connect companies with independent power producers (IPPs), many of whom are investing in the construction of clean energy plants in the rainbow nation.
The deal is worth £110 million, more than $152.3 million. While the value of the deal has been disclosed, very little information is available about how much clean electricity the London (UK) listed hospital group plans to buy. Mediclinic plans to supply renewable energy to four of its hospitals and its headquarters in Stellenbosch.
Read also- SOUTH AFRICA: RBPlat wants to equip its BRPM mine with a 30 MWp solar plant
Through this partnership, the group, which employs 33 140 people (in 2020), aims to reduce its carbon footprint in a South African and global context marked by the consideration of sustainability in business development. To encourage the uptake of renewable energy, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) now allows companies to install up to 100 MW without prior approval.
“All divisions are taking steps to reduce their electricity intensity through the adoption of the ISO 14001:2015 environmental management system. This will result in improved operational efficiency of technical facilities, the introduction of various new energy-saving and renewable technologies, as well as changes in employee behaviour regarding energy use,” says Ronnie van der Merwe, Mediclinic’s CEO. The group wants to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Jean Marie Takouleu