Orion signs renewable energy generation collaboration agreement with juwi for the 35 MW Prieska hybrid solar and wind project

Orion Minerals Ltd has signed a collaboration agreement with juwi Renewable Energies (Pty) Ltd South Africa (juwi) to investigate renewable energy generation for its flagship Prieska Zinc-Copper Project (Prieska Project), in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.

he preliminary scope is to investigate the feasibility of generating and supplying 35MW of electricity for the Prieska Project, from a hybrid power system using integrated wind and solar technologies. The renewable energy generation site will be located within 20km of the Prieska Project, making the establishment of a dedicated feed via an overhead power transmission line possible.

The investigations into renewable energy solutions at Orion’s Prieska Project will complement the ongoing Bankable Feasibility Study, with the additional benefit of potentially improving the base case plan of obtaining national grid power directly from the Cuprum sub-station already established on site.

Developing the renewable energy potential of the region is also a strategic goal of local government, as communicated in its Integrated Development Plans. Orion and juwi intend to continue to work closely with local government, under the auspice of the collaboration agreement entered into with the Siyathemba Municipality in October 2017, to maximise the employment and enterprise development in the local communities.