THE ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE ENERGY INITIATIVES IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT: A CASE STUDY AT ALTECH UEC

Worldwide there is a drive towards energy generation from renewable sources. . This paper will detail the sustainable generation options available and evaluate the feasibility of their implementation in the South African manufacturing environment. This will be done by doing a case study at Altech UEC. In order to determine whether or not sustainable energy solution/s are feasible, the current South African supply situation will be characterized. The South African Government has made a substantial commitment to sustainable energy. As a result there is a beneficial statutory framework within which renewable energy projects operate. The challenge remains to derive the maximum benefit, as many of the  structures are mutually exclusive. This paper evaluates the maximum benefit for Altech UEC’s context.  Solar was found to be the only viable renewable energy source.  The preferred technology identified was a grid-tied photovoltaic system. However it was found that this option was too expensive to be economically feasible without an additional revenue stream, which can be tapped by selling carbon credits.