South African Timber Mill Goes 90% Renewable Energy

York Timber Holdings just signed a deal that will power its Jessievale sawmill with 90% renewable electricity for the next ten years. The June 2026 agreement with electricity trader Discovery Green marks a turning point for South Africa's timber industry and reflects a growing trend among businesses ditching coal-based power.

The agreement works through "wheeling," where York Timber's electricity still arrives over existing infrastructure, but Discovery Green coordinates the same amount of clean power from solar and wind farms flowing into the national grid. York Timber already runs a 700-kilowatt solar farm at the mill, adding to its green energy mix.

For York Timber, the benefits extend beyond doing good. The company will slash its greenhouse gas emissions while protecting itself from electricity price hikes and South Africa's expanding Carbon Tax, which started charging polluters in 2019 and is tightening its rules this year.

Dan Ginsberg from Discovery Green says York Timber joins more than 50 companies buying clean electricity through his firm. These long-term agreements give renewable energy producers the demand certainty they need to build new solar and wind farms, fueling South Africa's entire energy transition.

The timber industry's environmental story goes deeper than electricity, though. Forestry specialist Paxie Chirwa from the University of Pretoria points out that renewable energy is just one piece of sustainability. How companies manage their plantations, protect water resources, and preserve biodiversity matter just as much.

York Timber addresses these concerns through Forest Stewardship Council certification on nearly 90,000 hectares of plantations. The company maintains conservation areas, protects waterways with buffer zones, and follows sustainable harvesting plans. More than 90% of South Africa's commercial plantations carry this certification, putting the industry near global best practices.

The Ripple Effect

York Timber's clean energy deal creates waves beyond one sawmill. Every long-term renewable agreement sends a signal to energy investors that clean power has reliable customers, unlocking funding for new solar and wind projects across South Africa. As more companies follow York Timber's lead, they collectively reduce the country's dependence on coal while building the infrastructure for a cleaner energy future.

Chirwa acknowledges the industry's progress while calling for continued improvement in monitoring fertilizer use, water quality, and social impacts. He wants companies to share independently verified data on emissions, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem restoration. Greater transparency will help the industry demonstrate its environmental commitments and identify areas needing attention.

The sawmill's transformation shows how business decisions can align profit with planet, creating a sustainable model that others can follow.