The unveiling of South Africa’s first Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) Research Site in Leandra, Mpumalanga, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s journey towards reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. On August 30, 2024, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Gwede Mantashe, officially launched this research site, highlighting its critical role in addressing South Africa’s carbon footprint as one of the world’s highest CO₂ emitters, largely due to its reliance on fossil fuels for energy production.
This new research facility is a direct response to South Africa’s carbon challenge, which sees the nation responsible for approximately 500 million metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. As coal remains central to the country’s energy supply, innovative solutions such as CCUS are essential in balancing the demands of energy security with climate action. The facility also aligns with the broader global goals of reducing emissions and fostering sustainable energy practices.
The Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA), a key stakeholder in Mpumalanga’s Just Energy Transition, proudly participated in the unveiling of the research site. MGCA board members and management were on hand to witness the significant event, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to driving low-carbon innovations in the province. This launch highlights MGCA’s role in supporting ground-breaking technologies that address the critical challenges associated with transitioning Mpumalanga’s coal-based economy toward greener, more sustainable solutions.
MGCA’s ongoing involvement in the region’s energy transition aligns with its broader mission of facilitating collaboration between government, industry, and academia to unlock opportunities in the green economy. The development of the CCUS research site is a testament to the type of innovative, large-scale projects that can help Mpumalanga reposition itself as a hub for green technology and energy solutions, while safeguarding jobs and economic stability in the province.
Mosa Mabuza, CEO of the Council for Geoscience (CGS), hailed the research site as a crucial step forward in South Africa’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. With support from both the South African government and the World Bank, CGS has successfully completed geological studies that confirm the site’s ability to store up to 34 gigatonnes of CO₂. These findings set the stage for the next phase of the project, which will focus on design, construction, and the injection phase of CO₂ storage.
Mabuza emphasized the significance of this achievement:
“This milestone is not only a major leap for South Africa but also a global contribution to carbon mitigation efforts. The CCUS technology provides an important avenue for South Africa to continue its industrial activities while addressing the urgent need to reduce emissions.”
As a critical component of the global energy transition, CCUS technology offers a dual approach by capturing carbon emissions from industrial sources and either utilizing the CO₂ in productive ways, such as manufacturing building materials, or permanently storing it deep underground. This technology holds the potential to significantly reduce the amount of CO₂ entering the atmosphere, helping countries like South Africa maintain energy security while meeting climate targets.
FAQs on CCUS Technology
What is CCUS?
Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) is a process that captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial activities and either uses the captured CO₂ for products like building materials (utilisation) or stores it deep underground to prevent its release into the atmosphere (storage).
What is the difference between CCS and CCUS?
While Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) focuses solely on capturing and storing CO₂, CCUS goes a step further by identifying practical uses for the captured carbon, turning it into valuable products, thus adding a utilisation component to the traditional CCS model.
Which countries are the world’s largest CO₂ emitters?
According to the World Resources Institute, the top three global greenhouse gas emitters are China, the United States, and India, accounting for over 42% of total emissions.
Where does South Africa rank in global CO₂ emissions?
South Africa ranks as the 14th largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, and the highest emitter on the African continent.
