Africa ’ s largest fishing company has charted an ambitious course targeting zero emissions by 2050 and has just reached a notable waypoint on
that voyage .
Commercial Cold Storage ( CCS ), an Oceana Group company , has recently completed a R4.47-million project to install 478,72kWp of solar power on the roof of its Paarden Eiland facility .
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Energy Partners Solar provided and installed the system , which comprises 1088 solar panels covering 2 154m 2 . These will generate 749MWh / year , or enough electricity to provide power to 75 average households .
Ina Botha , CCS executive director , says that as well as reducing demand on the national grid , the renewable electricity will save 741 tons of carbon dioxide a year .
She explains that while CCS ensures its
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temperature-controlled storage is as energy efficient as possible , large facilities storing fresh produce which can require temperatures to be as low as minus 60 o C , use a lot of electricity .
“ Not only will this investment pay for itself over the next 3 years but will also take the Group closer to achieving its carbon neutrality goal .”
Oceana ’ s Carbon Neutrality Project aims at reducing emissions by 50 % over the next
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nine years , before reaching its zero emissions in 2050 .
Group CEO , Imran Soomra , says : “ This project is a first but important step towards achieving our environmental sustainability goals . Our future plans include mega renewable energy projects , particularly along the west coast , which will have a lasting , positive impact on the communities in which we operate .” CLA
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