Africa’s largest steel maker, ArcelorMittal SA (AMSA), has fully committed itself to a green and de-carbonising future for both its energy-intensive business and home region and plans to spend at least R3b on a massive solar farm at its flagship Vanderbijlpark site in Gauteng.

The bold and key renewable energy and energy transition project will see Amsa create up to 500 new jobs in the various phases of building a photo-voltaic (solar) plant in the Vaal of at least 200 megawatts.

This was confirmed to Vaalweekblad this week by Tami Didiza, Amsa Communications and Stakeholder Management chief.

The proposed solar farm is expected to play a cornerstone role in ArcelorMittal’s ambitious global and South African net zero de-carbonisation strategy going forward to 2050 and will in turn result in the refurbishment of one of two electricity-intensive furnaces starting in 2027.

At this stage, the steel giant is still keeping its cards close to its corporate chest with regard to the specifics of the solar project, which is understood to already be well underway in terms of planning and licensing.

Solar experts consulted by Vaalweekblad said that to generate 200 KW of electricity, it would require about 1000 square meters of land to be covered by solar panels, although many variables would come into play as technology improved.

“Around 500 jobs will be created in all the phases of the plant’s construction.” It is likely to cost in excess of R3b to construct,” Didiza told the publication.

The solar farm also complements AMSA’s up-scaled Vaal social responsibility strategy, with millions already being spent to upgrade roads, street lighting, and employment in a massive upliftment corridor spanning the length of its home town, Vanderbijlpark.

“The substantial transformation of the company’s current electricity supply will require an active, real transition from coal-based electricity to electricity from renewables and other clean sources.

“In this regard, the company has announced projects to generate at least 200 megawatts of renewable power on its premises,” according to AMSA’s de-carbonisation roadmap.