Prioritising Business Continuity and Sustainability for Our Customers

At AECI Specialty Chemicals, we recognise the criticality of uninterrupted operations, particularly in the face of South Africa’s current energy crisis. That’s why we have invested significantly in reliable energy and backup solutions that:

• Ensure seamless business continuity during power disruptions
• Reduce our reliance on conventional power sources
• Support our sustainability goals and environmental responsibility

In this article, we will share how we have implemented these solutions at our manufacturing plants across South Africa.

Operating in a Classified MHI

Our manufacturing and storage facilities operate as a classified Major Hazard Installation (MHI). This means that we are exempt from load shedding below stage 6. However, we are not complacent and we have prepared for the worst-case scenarios.

Diesel Powered Generators

When loadshedding surpasses stage 6, and we face power disruptions, we can rely on our two diesel powered generators at AECI Chempark, the nucleus of our manufacturing operations. These generators have an output capacity of 1500 KVA each, which is enough to power our entire site during critical periods. We maintain them regularly to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

Embracing Solar Power

In line with our commitment to sustainability, we have recently commissioned an extensive solar installation at AECI Chempark. The installation consists of 2232 solar panels that harness the power of the sun and deliver a peak output of 1 MegaWatt of electricity. This matches our peak daily demand and ensures seamless continuity of operations during daytime. Moreover, this extensive solar installation contributes to AECI group’s sustainability goal of generating 8% of our energy from renewable sources by 2025.

Looking Ahead

AECI Specialty Chemicals remains dedicated to maintaining operational resilience and sustainability. As the energy landscape evolves, we will continue to explore practical and dependable energy solutions to further enhance our ability to ensure uninterrupted operations. Our commitment to customer satisfaction and environmental responsibility drives us to seek innovative approaches that align with the evolving needs of our customers and the wider energy landscape.