Delayed coal decommissioning won’t ‘collapse our climate commitments’

The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) is currently assessing the impact of South Africa’s decision to delay the decommissioning of the Hendrina, Grootvlei and Camden coal-fired power stations... 

Nersa extends deadline for comment on Eskom’s move to reserve grid for public IPPs

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has extended to June 17 the deadline for comment on Eskom’s application to preserve and reserve grid capacity for independent power producers... 

Nersa confirms registration of 105 more generators as overall number rises to 1 415

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) reports that it registered a further 105 generation facilities during the period from January to March 2024, raising to 1 415 the number of... 

Deadline for latest battery procurement extended as IPPs adjust to Eskom’s new grid access rules

The deadline for South Africa’s recently launched third battery energy storage bidding round, or bid window three (BW3), has been extended by three months to October 31, following a recent deadline... 

TPT to continue to invest in Durban Pier 2 while legal spat over private partner plays out

South Africa’s Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) says it will continue to invest in Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 while legal proceedings around its selection of International Container... 

Climate commission model points to the growth potential of green industrialisation

The initial direct cost of placing South Africa on an energy transition pathway over the coming five years in line with its decarbonisation targets is calculated at a hefty R1.5-trillion in the... 

Unintended consequences?

It is highly unlikely that South Africa would have made the progress it has in stabilising electricity supply and setting in place initiatives to halt the collapse of the country’s... 

TFR operating company head raises concern over ‘high tariff’ signalled in draft Network Statement

Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) CEO Russell Baatjies has added his voice to industry-wide concerns being expressed about the high rail tariffs that would arise should the methodology included in a... 

Presidency insists 22.5 GW private IPP pipeline won’t be disrupted by Eskom move to reserve grid for public projects

The Presidency does not anticipate that Eskom’s move to reserve scarce grid capacity for independent power producers (IPPs) participating in public procurement bidding rounds will disrupt the more... 

South African member committee of World Energy Council launched

A South African member committee of the World Energy Council (WEC) has been launched under the aegis of the Energy Council of South Africa. The member committee is made up of ten high-level energy... 

Eskom seeks Nersa permission to reserve grid capacity for public IPP procurement rounds

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has invited comment on Eskom’s application to preserve and reserve grid connection capacity for independent power producers (IPPs)... 

Eskom board approves plan to operate Camden, Grootvlei and Hendrina to 2030

The Eskom board has given its approval for the continued operation of the Camden, Grootvlei and Hendrina power stations to 2030 – a departure from the original decommissioning schedule that has... 

Energy trader reports strong market demand for green electricity from 210 MW Hendrina Wind Farm

Newly formed electricity trader Apollo Africa reports that it is experiencing strong demand from potential customers for the renewable electricity that will be produced from the grid-ready 210 MW... 

Today’s well-supplied market for critical minerals ‘may not be a good guide for future’

A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report describes the sharp decline in critical mineral prices over the past year as a double-edged sword, cautioning that, while it has been a boon for clean... 

Two BW6 solar projects with a combined capacity of 360 MW reach commercial close

Two solar photovoltaic (PV) projects selected as preferred bids under Bid Window 6 (BW6) of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE’s) renewable energy procurement programme reached... 

City Power seeks funding, manufacturing partners for informal settlement ‘energy box’

Johannesburg’s City Power is seeking manufacturing and venture capital partners to further develop and pilot a rugged ‘energy box’ concept in one of the city’s 312 informal settlements as a... 

Solar rental firm begins testing roll-out model for underserved communities

Local solar-as-a-subscription service provider Wetility is deploying a rooftop solar solution in a lower-income community as part of a proof-of-concept study to firm up the feasibility of extending... 

Green stimulus

South Africa’s manufacturing sector is in dire need of stimulus. In its recently released ‘Industrial Policy & Strategy Review’, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) confirmed... 

Eyes turn to Union Buildings after NCOP approves Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has approved the Electricity Regulation Amendment (ERA) Bill, which has far-reaching implications for the future structure and operation of an electricity... 

Ramaphosa acknowledges fear over NHI but describes signing as ‘pivotal moment’

President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the fear that his signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law had generated in and address during a signing ceremony held at the Union... 

$2.2bn pledged to support clean-cooking access in Africa

Pledges worth $2.2-billion to support clean-cooking access in Africa were made at a summit in France on Tuesday, convened by the International Energy Agency (IEA). It is estimated that more than... 

Salga energy head calls for post-election review of free basic electricity scheme

The head of energy at the South African Local Government Association (Salga) has called for a review of both the size of the free basic electricity (FBE) allocation as well as the way the grant is... 

Ramaphosa denies pre-election loadshedding respite is a ‘political ploy’

President Cyril Ramaphosa has entered the politically charged discussion on the reasons behind the recent dramatic reduction in loadshedding ahead of what is expected to be a highly competition... 

South Africa aims to set up three JET-aligned skills development zones

Three Just Energy Transition (JET) skills development zones focusing on renewables and grids, electric vehicles and green hydrogen value chains are proposed for implementation under the larger JET... 

IEA expects another record year for EVs in 2024

The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects electric vehicle (EV) sales to rise to a record 17-million in 2024, representing more than one in every five passenger cars sold, but with sales likely... 

NTCSA begins consultations on market code to govern shift towards competitive electricity industry

With the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) currently scheduled to be operationalised in July and efforts under way to ensure that the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) Amendment... 

Private renewables procurement may mitigate boom-bust cycles curbing South Africa’s green industrialisation

The combination of public and private procurement of large-scale renewables in South Africa signals increased stability for manufacturers of key components, a new GreenCape report argues. Published... 

Coalitions and reform

With the 2024 election days away, attention is turning to the governance arrangements that will prevail nationally and in key battleground provinces following the poll and what these outcomes will... 

Deadline for latest battery procurement also extended as IPPs adjust to Eskom’s new grid access rules

The deadline for South Africa’s recently launched third battery energy storage bidding round, or bid window three (BW3), has been extended by three months to October 31, following a recent deadline... 

TPT to continue to invest in Durban Pier 2 while legal spat over private partner plays out

South Africa’s Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) says it will continue to invest in Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 while legal proceedings around its selection of International Container... 

NamPower grid-strengthening and battery storage project secures $138.5m World Bank backing

The World Bank has approved a $138.5-million finance package to support the integration of renewable energy into Namibia’s electricity system by strengthening its transmission grid and integrating... 

Ramokgopa insists loadshedding not being ‘stage managed’ ahead of May 29 poll

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa denies that the prevailing reprieve from loadshedding has been “stage managed” to improve the prospects of the governing African National Congress ahead... 

Climate commission model points to the growth potential of green industrialisation

The initial direct cost of placing South Africa on an energy transition pathway over the coming five years in line with its decarbonisation targets is calculated at a hefty R1.5-trillion in the... 

Eskom says RCA application for only R9m not a signal of alignment with Nersa on calculations

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has initiated consultations on Eskom’s latest Regulatory Clearing Account (RCA) application for the 2022/23 financial year, where Eskom is... 

Stage 16 loadshedding code seeks to reduce human error, not a signal for imminent surge in cuts – Nersa

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has belatedly moved to quell concern that its recent approval of a new loadshedding code of practice, which increases the number of potential... 

South Africa falls in World Energy Trilemma Index

South Africa has fallen to sixty-ninth from sixty-fourth on the World Energy Council’s (WEC’s) latest World Energy Trilemma Index which ranks more than 100 countries against the three key... 

In the weeds

South Africa has gone some way in starting to reform its electricity industry, which has been failing the country visibly for nearly two decades. As these changes are published, consulted and... 

New Mulilo CEO says South Africa’s renewables, storage markets poised for exponential growth

Independent power producer Mulilo reports that Jan Fourie has officially assumed the role of CEO, where he will oversee the company’s growth ambitions in South Africa’s public-procurement and... 

Two BW6 solar projects with a combined capacity of 360 MW reach commercial close

Two solar photovoltaic (PV) projects selected as preferred bids under Bid Window 6 (BW6) of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE’s) renewable energy procurement programme reached... 

City Power seeks funding, manufacturing partners for informal settlement ‘energy box’

Johannesburg’s City Power is seeking manufacturing and venture capital partners to further develop and pilot a rugged ‘energy box’ concept in one of the city’s 312 informal settlements as a...