Johannesburg, South Africa – February 10, 2026 – Etana Energy, a leading South African electricity trading platform, has announced a significant power purchase agreement (PPA) with Sibanye-Stillwater, a multinational precious metals mining company.
Under the 10-year agreement, Etana Energy will supply 220 MW of renewable electricity annually to Sibanye-Stillwater’s mining operations, with deliveries expected to commence in late 2027.
This deal underscores the growing trend of corporate renewable energy procurement in South Africa, driven by the dual imperatives of reducing electricity costs and carbon emissions.
The renewable energy will be wheeled from Etana’s diverse solar and wind portfolio through South Africa’s national grid. This arrangement is strategically structured to integrate seamlessly with Sibanye-Stillwater’s existing and future power requirements, providing a stable and sustainable energy source for its extensive mining operations.
The PPA is a crucial step for Sibanye-Stillwater in its commitment to decarbonization and achieving greater energy independence, mitigating the impact of South Africa’s persistent load-shedding challenges.
The agreement was reported by Chariot Limited, which holds a 34% economic interest in Etana Energy through its subsidiary. This partnership highlights the increasing collaboration between energy developers, trading platforms, and large industrial consumers to accelerate the transition to clean energy in South Africa.
Such PPAs are vital mechanisms that enable large energy users to secure long-term, cost-effective renewable power, thereby reducing their exposure to volatile electricity prices and enhancing operational stability.
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South Africa’s mining sector, a cornerstone of its economy, is also one of its most energy-intensive. The transition to renewable energy is not only an environmental imperative but also an economic necessity for these operations.
By securing 220 MW of renewable electricity, Sibanye-Stillwater is poised to significantly reduce its operational carbon footprint, align with global sustainability standards, and potentially achieve substantial cost savings over the decade-long term of the agreement.
The broader impact of this PPA extends to strengthening South Africa’s national grid and fostering further investment in renewable energy infrastructure. As more large consumers opt for direct renewable energy procurement, it creates a more robust and diversified energy ecosystem, reducing strain on the national utility Eskom and encouraging the development of new generation capacity.
This distributed approach to energy supply is becoming increasingly critical in a country where utility-scale renewable generation expansion has been hampered by limited transmission grid capacity.
This agreement between Etana Energy and Sibanye-Stillwater serves as a powerful example of how private sector initiatives are driving South Africa’s energy transition. It demonstrates the viability of large-scale renewable energy solutions for industrial applications and sets a precedent for other energy-intensive sectors to follow.
The high stakes involve not just the financial and environmental benefits for the companies involved, but also the broader implications for South Africa’s energy security, economic competitiveness, and climate action goals.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
