This is the fourth set of PPAs signed by Air Liquide and Sasol after those announced in 2023, the companies said. Together, these PPAs represent a total renewable power capacity of around 690 MW. For Air Liquide, these contracts will represent an annual reduction in its CO₂ emissions of approximately 1.2 million t, and contribute to its targeted reduction by 30% to 40% of the CO₂ emissions associated with oxygen production in Secunda by 2031.

As part of this agreement, Enel Green Power will create a local company which will build a wind farm located in the Eastern Cape province. This renewable energy production facility is scheduled to be operational by 2026.

Nicolas Poirot, CEO of Air Liquide Africa Middle-East & India, said: “These new renewable electricity supply agreements are yet another sign of our strong joint commitment to decarbonize the production of oxygen in Secunda since Air Liquide took over Sasol’s units in 2021. These long-term contracts will actively support the development of renewable energy in South Africa, for the benefit of the country’s electrical system and ultimately of the South African society in the context of a just transition.”

Air Liquide acquired Sasol’s 16 oxygen production units in Secunda and has been operating them since June 2021, in the framework of a long-term supply contract with its partner. Including another air separation unit (ASU) it already operated for Sasol, Air Liquide operates a total of 17 ASUs in Secunda, with a total capacity of 47,000 t/d of oxygen.