New and Cheaper Renewable Diesel Coming to South Africa

South Africa is set to benefit from a groundbreaking renewable diesel project announced at the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town. Major industry players, including Sasol, Anglo American, and De Beers, have teamed up to produce a cleaner, more affordable type of diesel.

Turning Old Mining Land into Green Energy Hubs

The project will repurpose unused, degraded mining land to cultivate nicotine-free tobacco (Solaris) and Moringa plants. These crops are not only resilient but ideal for producing high-quality seed oil. This oil will undergo hydrogenation and refining to transform it into renewable diesel.

Danie Cronje of Sasol highlighted the project as a milestone in sustainable fuel development. “One key advantage of renewable diesel is that it’s a drop-in fuel, meaning it works seamlessly with existing diesel engines without any modifications,” he said.

Eco-Friendly and Economically Smart

This initiative isn’t just good for the environment; it’s economically strategic. By using old mining sites and existing infrastructure, the project minimizes initial capital costs. The companies are focusing on crop cultivation and operational efficiency before scaling up to commercial levels.

Sarushen Pillay, Sasol’s Executive Vice President of Business Building, Strategy, and Technology, emphasized that renewable diesel meets the same quality standards as traditional diesel but significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

A Game-Changer for South Africa’s Energy Sector

For Anglo American, this project aligns with its goal to cut Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Alison Atkinson, the company’s Projects and Development Director, noted that renewable diesel is vital to achieving carbon-neutral operations.

De Beers is also integrating renewable diesel into its sustainability strategy, with trials already underway in its mining operations and host communities as part of its 2030 decarbonization goals.

What’s Next?

Though still in its pilot phase, the project aims to scale within the next one to two years. Initial trials focus on crop yields under challenging conditions, using water from mining operations.

By transforming old mining sites into productive farms and producing affordable renewable diesel, Sasol, Anglo American, and De Beers are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable energy future in South Africa.

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