Running an abattoir in South Africa isn’t just about processing livestock—it’s about keeping operations running smoothly in a country where electricity is unreliable, carbon-intensive and increasingly expensive. With refrigeration and chilling accounting for up to 45% of an abattoir’s total electricity consumption power outages and rising tariffs aren’t just inconveniences—they are direct threats to food hygiene standards and business sustainability.
At the same time, many abattoirs still rely on coal-fired boilers for hot water and steam required for sterilisation, cleaning and in some instances rendering, despite their inefficiency and high carbon footprint (0.48–0.73 kg CO₂ per kWh of thermal energy).
And with Eskom’s electricity grid producing 0.95–1.05 kg CO₂ per kWh and carbon taxes in the offing, there’s a clear need for an alternative energy solution that is both cost-effective and sustainable.
South Africa has a total of 119 High Throughput (HT) abattoirs and 88 Low Throughput (LT) abattoirs forming the backbone of the country's meat processing industry. Despite this, solar adoption remains surprisingly low:
South Africa has some of the best solar resources in the world — with an average of 2,000 kWh/m²/year of solar energy potential. Yet, solar adoption in abattoirs remains surprisingly low:
According to Decentral Energy's research:
Given that abattoirs operate primarily during daylight hours, commercial solar PV should be a natural solution for reducing reliance on Eskom. So why aren’t more abattoirs taking advantage of it?
The main barriers include:
One of the biggest advantages of LPG gas engines over traditional diesel generators is their superior cost-effectiveness.
LPG is not only a cheaper fuel option per unit of energy, but LPG gas engines also offer much longer maintenance intervals and greater reliability, reducing operational downtime and maintenance costs. This makes them a more economical and dependable choice for abattoirs looking to secure their energy supply while keeping operating costs in check.
While solar PV is an excellent daytime electricity source abattoirs still need a stable, cost-effective backup for continuous power and thermal energy. This is where Gas Engine Combined Heat & Power (CHP) systems running on LPG come into play:
Unlike natural gas, which requires pipeline infrastructure, LPG is widely available in bulk storage or cylinder form making it a flexible solution even for rural abattoirs. With a lower capital investment than grid expansion or pipeline installations. LPG gas engines offer a practical, scalable solution for South African meat processors.
By integrating LPG gas engines with solar PV, abattoirs can cut costs, improve reliability, and dramatically reduce carbon emissions.
The smartest way for abattoirs to ensure energy security and cost savings is through a hybrid energy strategy:
With HT abattoirs already leading the way in solar adoption (31.87%) there’s a major opportunity for those that have not yet transitioned to leapfrog their competitors by embracing a hybrid energy solution.
Pairing solar PV with LPG gas engine CHP allows these abattoirs to secure their energy supply, reduce costs, and gain a competitive advantage in South Africa’s evolving energy landscape.
While LT abattoirs may struggle to make the transition due to upfront cost constraints, HT facilities that delay this shift risk falling behind their peers who are already benefiting from cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.
Is your abattoir ready to transition to a cleaner, more reliable energy future? Now is the time to make the switch.
