A powerful new approach

A powerful new approach at Ngodwana Mill

Climate change is here to stay and the search is on for sources of renewable energy.

This is where the 25 MW Ngodwana Energy biomass power plant at Ngodwana Mill comes in. The plant, which is currently under construction and in which Sappi has a 30% stake, will use biomass from surrounding plantations to generate power that will feed into the national grid. 

Ngodwana Energy will use biomass from surrounding plantations to generate power.

Creating shared value impact

Our vision of a thriving world is based, among other things, on the creation of responsibly sourced and sustainable solutions as viable alternatives to fossil-based products and on helping local communities prosper. This initiative emphasises our focus on sharing value with our stakeholders in the following ways:

  • ZAR15 billion direct value add over 20 years.
  • 44% local spend of ZAR1.5 billion project costs
  • 350 people employed during construction.
  • 91% empowerment spend as a percentage of total procurement spend.
  • ZAR400 million allocated to small, medium and micro enterprises and ZAR200 million to women vendors in terms of preferential procurement spend.
  • The collection of biomass from surrounding plantations will create around 50 new jobs.
  • The total electricity produced will support 20,000 households.
  • The operations and maintenance of the boiler will create 130 new jobs.

Significant value add includes 91% empowerment spend.