Mondi South Africa generates its own electricity with new turbine

Mondi, a supplier of sustainable packaging and paper, has achieved a sustainability milestone at its Merebank mill in Durban, South Africa, with the installation of a new turbine in the site’s power plant. The mill is now able to generate 60 percent of its electricity, significantly reducing reliance on grid-supplied power and improving operational efficiency.

The project includes the installation of a new condensing steam turbine, cooling towers, piping and control systems, using excess steam from the mill’s boiler.

'This project is a game-changer for the mill,' said Donovan Naidoo, operations director at Mondi Merebank. 'By generating power onsite, we reduce our dependency on external electricity supply, reduce costs and take a step towards energy independence, climate resilience and long-term operational stability. Once the cooling tower upgrade is completed, the new turbine will produce more electricity than the mill consumes — a significant milestone in our journey towards self-sufficiency.'

In addition to increasing energy self-sufficiency, the new turbine project will also reduce the mill’s carbon footprint. 

Alongside this energy investment, the mill has completed two flood-proofing projects to mitigate risks from natural disasters. The projects include the installation of flood gates and the deployment of inflatable flood barriers, allowing for the rapid creation of water-catchment dams. Together, these measures help protect the mill’s operations and nearby communities from extreme weather events, helping ensure business continuity.

The turbine generator project and flood-proofing projects contribute to the Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) sustainability commitments.