Discovery Green powers sustainably sourced timber

Discovery Green, a Discovery Limited business, is proud to announce the signing of a 10-year PPA with JSE-listed company, York Timber Holdings, the largest solid wood processor in South Africa. The agreement will support greater cost efficiencies in York Timbers’ operations and marks a significant step in the company’s ongoing journey to embed sustainability into its business while maximising environmental value.

Under the agreement, Discovery Green will convert 90% of the Jessievale sawmill’s energy usage into renewable energy – reducing its carbon emissions by thousands of tons of CO2 each year. This will ultimately deliver better energy economics for the next 10 years. York Timbers joins more than 50 companies that have selected Discovery Green’s trusted energy wheeling platform to meet their renewable energy objectives. Discovery Green already has more than 740MW in generation under development for these customers.

A renewable journey, anchored in positive outcomes

Schalk Barnard, interim CEO for York Timbers praised Discovery Green’s tailored approach to renewable energy: “Discovery Green took the time to understand our business and worked closely with us to develop a solution that suited our needs.”

Cost was a central driver in its decision to partner with Discovery Green. Barnard says, “The solution provides long-term cost certainty at a time when energy costs remain a significant driver of our production costs and overall profitability.”

The impact of cost effective production from renewable energy will translate into a meaningful return for our shareholders, while the resulting embedded sustainable practices will generate positive returns for the environment.

The PPA will also have a positive impact on York Timbers’ regulatory compliance. Barnard explains, “As a fully integrated forestry company, we are committed to meeting internationally recognised standards, including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification requirements and the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability. These standards help us maintain access to key markets, strengthen stakeholder confidence and support our broader sustainability objectives. Clean energy is an important component of that commitment.

“The impact of cost effective production from renewable energy will translate into a meaningful return for our shareholders, while the resulting embedded sustainable practices will generate positive returns for the environment.”

Nepgen says, “York Timbers is a champion of sustainably sourced timber, creating lasting structures. Their commitment to responsible forestry extends throughout the value chain, from FSC-certified plantations to certified lumber and plywood products that meet internationally recognised standards. We are excited to support that commitment with renewable energy solutions that create lasting commercial and environmental value.”

“This PPA is an example of how enterprise-scale agricultural and forestry players can modernise their energy procurement for commercial impact. We are proud to have acted as a partner from the start of York Timbers’ renewable energy journey, customising a renewable portfolio that offers them price-certainty and sustainability.”