Article

An analysis suggests a renewables-battery solution to support South Africa's ferrochrome industry facing high electricity tariffs, with Eskom offering a 62c/kWh rate. Currently, only four of 48 smelters are operational, producing 19% of global ferrochrome.

The proposed solution involves a capital subsidy for an 8 GW solar PV and 2 GW/24 GWh battery energy storage system, requiring R157-billion in total expenditure. The authors argue this approach avoids long-term dependency on Eskom subsidies. They recommend a policy combining fiscal measures and an export royalty for un-beneficiated chrome ore to safeguard jobs and revenue.