HOW SENWES CREATES VALUE USING THE SIX CAPITALS – continued
TRADE-OFFS IN OUR USE OF NATURAL CAPITAL
The investment in energy and water saving projects has a negative impact on financial capital over the short term . However , it will have a positive impact on natural and financial capital over the long term , through reduced municipal costs , as well as reduced depletion of natural resources .
NATURAL CAPITAL
Senwes uses natural capital such as land , water and energy to generate income . Senwes invests significantly in decreasing the impact of its activities on the environment and to promote a culture of efficiency . However , Senwes ’ manufacturing capital has a low impact on natural capital .
KEY INPUTS
� Renewable energy generation through :
• Senwes Head Office Solar PV system .
• Hennenman silo Solar PV system .
� Water consumption efficiency programme :
• During the period under review a project was launched to identify the internal water-related risks of the Senwes Group ’ s business units with regards to water security and water quality . This project also set out to propose solutions for the identified risks through the development of a best practice guide . The roll-out of the proposed solutions across the group ’ s operational footprint will commence in the 2021 / 22 financial year .
� Electricity consumption efficiency programme :
• Check meters have been installed at all silos and energy demand and consumption are being recorded and monitored .
• Strategic initiatives have been identified within the industrial portfolio of silos to determine possible energy reduction potential .
• A check meter project has been identified for the commercial portfolio of branches .
� Waste reduction programme .
OUTCOMES 2021 2020
Electricity consumption at head office |
MWh |
1 452 |
1 392 |
Cumulative CO 2 avoided since the inception of |
tonnes |
4 264 |
3 329 |
solar energy generation at head office |
|
|
|
Head office CO 2 savings for the year due to solar |
tonnes |
935 |
780 |
energy generation |
|
|
|
Water consumption at head office |
kl |
5 212 |
5 031 |
Electricity consumption at Grainlink silos |
MWh |
30 232 |
28 550 |
Cumulative CO 2 avoided since the inception of |
tonnes |
1 414 |
1 042 |
solar energy generation at Senwes Grainlink ’ s Hennenman silo |
|
|
|
Senwes Grainlink Hennenman silo CO 2 saving for the year due to solar energy generation |
tonnes |
372 |
387 |
ACTIONS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES
� Additional embedded generation ( Solar PV ) projects are being investigated ;
� Check meter project has been identified for the commercial portfolio of branches ;
� Strategic initiatives have been identified within the industrial portfolio of silos to determine possible energy reduction potential ;
� Development of a best practice guide to address the internal water-related risks of the Senwes Group ’ s operational units with regards to water security and water quality ;
� Focus on water market opportunities and on finding solutions for producers relating to greater water efficiency ; and
� A waste reduction programme focused on lower paper usage by using technology , as well as recycling of used paper .
FUTURE CHALLENGES
� Increasing scarcity and decreasing quality of natural resources ;
� Inability of municipalities to manage their water and electricity accounts has a negative effect on business activities ;
� Climate change : Drought has a negative impact on food production ;
� The effect that global warming may have on the agricultural industry ;
� The demand for water exceeds its natural availability ; and
� The inability of Eskom to meet the demand for electricity , due to poor infrastructure and maintenance of networks .
REASSURANCE IN RESPECT OF NATURAL CAPITAL
� Independent consultation on the rehabilitation of the mining sites of Bastion Lime .
� Meter installations were done by Motla Consulting Engineers to ensure that the correct readings are taken on a contract-basis .
� Ongoing focus with regards to reduction in and / or optimisation of conventional electricity and water consumption as well as waste management through recycling efforts .
34 SENWES INTEGRATED REPORT 2021 RESILIENCE