Sasol Integrated Report 2024 - Book - Page 80
INTRODUCTION
ABOUT SASOL
STRATEGIC OVERVIEW
BUSINESSES
ESG
REMUNERATION REPORT
DATA AND ASSURANCE / ADMINISTRATION
ENVIRONMENT continued
CLIMATE CHANGE
continued
Energy roadmap update
MITIGATION LEVERS
Sasol is transitioning into a more sustainable and resilient business, with a keen eye on renewable energy and sustainable carbon
solutions. We are exploring different pathways and crafting an integrated power roadmap to steer towards a sustainable future.
Our transition approach aims to capitalise on Sasol’s position in the
South African power market. We will leverage existing infrastructure
and markets to enhance our value offering while achieving emission
reductions. We are exploring low-carbon energy options such as
renewable power (solar and wind), gas-to-power and biomass-topower. Additionally, we are also investigating low-carbon fuels and
chemicals production (renewable diesel, lower footprint wax and
SAF), all integral to the energy transition and future-oriented
sustainable value streams. In this way, we strive to supplement our
existing revenue streams in the short to medium term.
Progressing the emission reduction roadmap (ERR)
The ERR continues to evolve to maximise value while reducing GHG
emissions. In 2023, through higher global gas prices we saw the ERR
result in a lower, unsustainable production level for our South
African value chain by 2030. To stabilise and recover to business as
usual production levels by utilising coal, our ERR levers are being
expanded to include value-creation opportunities. These levers,
which are now being further investigated for future reporting,
balance people, planet and profit imperatives towards our 30%
target by 2030 and include:
• greater renewable energy deployment;
• improved energy efficiency; and
• co-feeding sustainable carbon feedstocks into existing assets,
as well as leveraging our early-stage successes to generate
green steam.
The ERR will continue focusing on introducing renewable energy
into our operations, by reducing the steam produced from our coalfired boiler plants. This will allow compliance with SO2 load-based
emission limits and simultaneously lower GHG emissions.
Renewable energy
Our goal is to replace coal-generated electricity with sustainable
alternatives. To date, together with the owner of the oxygen plant
at our Secunda facility, Air Liquide, we have signed power purchase
agreements (PPAs) totalling 757 MW. Several of these projects are
currently in progress. Notably, the Msenge Emoyeni Wind Farm (Pty)
Ltd, which will supply our Sasolburg operations, is advancing with
construction. All wind turbines have been successfully installed, and
grid connections are in place. Energy export testing to the grid
commenced in May 2024. The project is currently undergoing
reliability testing and commercial energy commissioning is forecast
for October.
Fine coal solutions
Sasol’s boilers utilise fine coal, a by-product of mining coarse coal
needed for gasification, to produce steam. Sasol is investigating
various solutions to address the fine coal generated when steam
production from our coal-fired boilers are reduced in Secunda
Operations. These include fine coal briquetting, a project to
agglomerate surplus fine coal, making it suitable for fixed bed
gasification, fine coal sales and operational interventions to reduce
the excess. By reducing the demand for run-of-mine coal, this
approach enhances overall carbon utilisation.
The recycling of internal waste streams to gasification has already
been successfully demonstrated through the processing of
biosludge from our wastewater treatment plants, further improving
our environmental footprint.
Sasol Research and Technology (R&T) is also
investigating the use of alternative binders
for the agglomeration process for fine coal briquetting,
including internal waste or by-product streams.
Large-scale renewable energy is likely to unlock significant
opportunity for Sasol and will contribute to alleviating South
Africa’s energy crisis. Doing so will provide a potential stepping
stone which in future is a no regret investment towards green
hydrogen production.
SASOL INTEGRATED REPORT 2024
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