Food maker RFG installs solar

South African food producer RFG Holdings will complete solar installations at seven of its production facilities over the next 18 month, accelerating its renewable energy program as the State-owned power utility struggles to meet demand for electricity.

The group is planning capital expenditure of R280-million for the 2023 financial year, including new generators and the replacement of existing ones in response to so-called loadshedding, according to its results report published on Wednesday. RFG spent 37.8-million on diesel for back-up power in the six months through April 2 and at current levels of blackouts its weekly average fuel cost is about R2-million, the company said.