TNPA appoints a consortium to help decarbonise port operations in Richards Bay

The Amulet Group Consortium will develop and operate a 20-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant to support the decarbonisation of port operations in Richards Bay.

PHOTO: Ship docked by cargo terminal and cranes in Richards Bay. Transnet

The construction of the solar PV plant is slated to start this month. It is expected to begin operations in May 2026 and provide electricity for port activities, according to the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). 

The Amulet Group Consortium comprises Johannesburg-based construction firm Amulet Group and renewable energy company LTM Energy Group.

"The construction of the plant is part of TNPA’s commitment to decarbonise its port operations under its Renewable Energy Purchase programme," the TNPA said.

Under this plan, TNPA aims to install renewable energy plants across its eight commercial ports, with a cumulative power of 100 MW. The consortium will also be responsible for maintaining the solar PV Plant with a battery system in Richards Bay for seven years.

Going forward, TNPA intends to use electricity from the solar plants to provide shore power to vessels visiting these ports, a TNPA spokesperson told ENGINE. The authority is currently analysing the infrastructure and investment requirements to provide shore power facilities, the spokesperson said.

It also plans to explore the use of alternative fuels such as green hydrogen to power its fleet. The TNPA’s fleet currently comprises three tugboats and a pilot boat.

By Manjula Nair

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