Age of Electricity

The recent claim made by the International Energy Agency (IEA) that humanity is “moving at speed into the Age of Electricity” may not seem especially profound given that electricity has been a key... 

Carbon taxes to add further upward pressure on electricity costs, Discovery Green warns

South Africa’s disproportionate reliance on coal for electricity generation is poised to add further upward pressure on tariffs by exposing local businesses to carbon taxes that could make up over... 

Surge in Q3 renewables registrations to 2GW may signal market shift from loadshedding to economics

Despite welcome relief from loadshedding in South Africa, a total of 3.3 GW of renewable-energy projects were registered with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) this year, with... 

‘Deep collaboration’ through regional value chains could unlock rapid African industrialisation

There is potential to catalyse rapid industrialisation in Africa by pursuing policies that  actively leverage both existing demand and continental moves towards trade integration to increase the... 

IPP procurement changes mulled to unlock 10 GW of renewables amid grid pressures and green industrialisation ambitions

The South African government is considering far-reaching changes to the way public procurement of independent power producer (IPP) generation capacity is being carried out so as to accelerate... 

Scatec making final preparations for construction of R3bn Northern Cape battery project

Renewable-energy group Scatec says it is making final preparations to start construction of the R3-billion Mogobe battery energy storage system (BESS) project, which reached financial close on... 

Phillips says Transnet not yet on track to meet 193Mt rail ‘stretch target’

Meeting the 193-million-ton rail stretch target set under the newly launched second phase of the partnership between business and government would require a significant amount of work and... 

Nersa committee recommends licensing of four more traders, batting away Eskom objections

The electricity subcommittee of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has recommended the approval of four more electricity trading licences, dismissing the objections raised by... 

Low-emission hydrogen project approvals double

A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report shows that the number of low-emission hydrogen projects to have advanced to a final investment decision (FID) stage doubled over the last 12 months,... 

Whole greater than sum of parts

The official launch of the National Transmission Company South Africa as an independent subsidiary of Eskom Holdings did indeed represent an important milestone in the restructuring of South... 

First two private utility-scale battery projects reach commercial close

Two projects selected as preferred bidders under South Africa’s inaugural Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP) bidding round have advanced to... 

Africa’s critical-minerals role highlighted as world moves into ‘Age of Electricity’

With the global energy system moving into the “Age of Electricity”, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has again highlighted the central role of Africa in producing the critical minerals... 

Eskom’s tariff application reflects big rise in subsidy support for energy-intensive firms

A policy decision to allow electricity-intensive companies operating in South Africa to enter into negotiated pricing agreements (NPAs) with Eskom is set to contribute 5.7% to any tariff increase... 

As Eskom confirms 2 GW renewables plan, role of tariffs in funding roll-out comes into focus

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has expressed confidence that tariff and non-tariff solutions can be found to ensure that Eskom is able to meet the obligations set by the... 

Upcoming mini-Budget to include details on Independent Power Transmission pilot project

Details on the approach South Africa will be taking to piloting Independent Power Transmission (IPT) projects as part of a strategy to accelerate the expansion of its electricity grid will be... 

Don’t conflate Eskom-Sasol bilateral on LNG with ‘national strategy’ needed to avert gas cliff – IGUA-SA

The Industrial Gas Users Association of Southern Africa (IGUA-SA) has welcomed the attention that South Africa’s impending “gas cliff” is finally enjoying from government through Electricity and... 

Next round of NDCs key to tripling renewables – IEA

The next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) will be a critical test for the implementation of the COP28 pledge, made by nearly 200 countries in the United Arab Emirates last year,... 

Growth glue

The so-called second phase of the partnership launched between government and business to tackle South Africa’s electricity, logistics and crime crises under the Government of National Unity (GNU)... 

69 MW Msenge Emoyeni Wind Farm begins wheeling electricity under contract with Sasol

The 69 MW Msenge Emoyeni Wind Farm, located in Bedford in the Eastern Cape, has entered into commercial operation and is wheeling electricity into the national grid helping to green the electricity... 

Business sees third-party rail access as crucial to meeting 250Mt volume target

An initial assessment by business into what it would involve to raise yearly freight rail volumes to 250-million tons, estimates that Transnet’s recovery alone could lift yearly volumes to about... 

Danish Energy Agency backing project to validate wind resources of South Africa’s coal heartland

The Danish and South African governments are partnering on a project to map the wind resources of the coal region of Mpumalanga, where access to the grid for new renewables projects is less... 

Cost-competitiveness to underpin surge in global renewables roll-out to 2030 - IEA

Led by solar PV, renewables are poised to transform electricity systems across the globe this decade, with the world on course to add more than 5 500 GW by 2030, the International Energy Agency’s... 

Ramokgopa convinced ‘sweet spot’ will be found to unlock Independent Power Transmission projects

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has expressed confidence that government and the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) are close to finding the “sweet spot”... 

Seifsa president sees new political climate as opportunity to revive metals sector

Steel and Engineering Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) president Elias Monage has described the establishment of the Government of National Unity (GNU) as an opportunity to revive the metals... 

RMB funds R50bn in renewables projects, eyes private-sector grid opportunities

Corporate and investment bank RMB reports that it financed renewable-energy investments worth R50-billion over the past year and is expecting ongoing high levels of renewables funding this year,... 

South Africa’s first Just Transition perception survey highlights low awareness and concern over impacts

A new South Africa-wide survey shows that, while 62% of respondents support the shift from coal to renewable energy, a striking 65% have never heard of the term ‘Just Transition’. In addition, the... 

Creecy sets year-end deadline for rail Network Statement amid ‘complicated tariff balancing act’

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says that, despite Transnet’s turnaround progress, the State-owned enterprise is not able to meet the target of increasing South Africa’s yearly rail volumes to... 

Mix(ed) messages

It’s time for South Africa to interrogate its policy of pursuing a so-called ‘energy mix’, which may sound reasonable, but which has become little more than a convenient fig leaf for policy... 

Phillips says Transnet not yet on track to meet 193Mt rail ‘stretch target’

Meeting the 193-million-ton rail stretch target set under the newly launched second phase of the partnership between business and government would require a significant amount of work and... 

Low-emission hydrogen project approvals double, but demand and cost uncertainties weigh

A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report shows that the number of low-emission hydrogen projects to have advanced to a final investment decision (FID) stage doubled over the last 12 months,... 

Growth target of 3% set for 2025 as business and government relaunch partnership under GNU

A second phase of the partnership launched between government and business to tackle South Africa’s electricity, logistics and crime crises has been launched under the Government of National Unity... 

Nersa committee recommends licensing of four more traders, batting away Eskom objections

The electricity subcommittee of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has recommended the approval of four more electricity trading licences, dismissing the objections raised by... 

R300m fund aims to support 50 tech startups

A R300-million ‘seed fund of funds’ aimed at providing early-stage capital to South African startups has been launched with the ambition of funding at least 50 technology-driven enterprises.  The... 

Banda appointed CEO of ENERTRAG South Africa

German renewable-energy company ENERTRAG has appointment Enos Banda as the new CEO of South African operations. A lawyer by training, Banda is a well-known personality in the South African energy... 

Grid and regulatory hurdles stand in way of Ramokgopa’s ‘ultra-aggressive’ renewables vision

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says that government would like to be “ultra-aggressive” in the roll-out of new renewable energy, which he describes as the “future”.... 

Window of opportunity for SA business to fulfil its higher purpose?

The role business has played in shaping South Africa’s democracy over the past 30 years and in supporting the 1996 Constitution’s objectives of “healing the divisions of the past” and “improving... 

Ramokgopa to seek advice from team of experts before taking next nuclear steps

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is assembling a committee of experts to advise him on the role that nuclear could play in South Africa’s future supply before issuing a new... 

EIB, DBSA increase funding for private renewables projects to R11.9bn

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved another €100-million (R1.98-billion) loan in support of the Development Bank of Southern Africa’s (DBSA’s) Embedded Generation Investment Programme,... 

R628m in EU grants for South Africa’s green hydrogen push

The EU has announced R628-million (€32-million) in grant funding to support the development of South Africa’s nascent green-hydrogen industry, as well as to facilitate net-zero-related investments... 

Business calls for soul searching on Nedlac’s future amid big socioeconomic shifts

While reaffirming its commitment to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), organised business has again questioned whether the structure’s current composition and...