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Electricity News

South Africa battles to fund vital grid upgrade for green energy 

By: Reuters     12th August 2024 South Africa's plan to expand its power grid, now the biggest bottleneck to replacing coal with renewables, has hit a snag: finding investors to lend the necessary $21-billion to a near-bankrupt state monopoly. Since May's election brought a coalition government to power, there has been a policy... 

Woolworths to invest further R17.5m in renewable-energy projects

By: Schalk Burger     8th August 2024 Retail group Woolworths will make a further R17.5-million worth of investments in renewable-energy projects, which are projected to have a payback period of four to five years. The investment includes solar power installations of R10.5-million and a renewable-energy agreement of R7.3-million a... 

Opinion: Innovative financing and policy support accelerating renewable energy development in Africa

By: Creamer Media Reporter      8th August 2024 In this article, Africa GreenCo founder and CEO Ana Hajduka writes that, as Africa’s energy sector deregulates, exciting opportunities open up for financial innovation to benefit consumers and private-sector buyers and traders can mitigate default risk and provide certified green energy at lower... 

Africa GreenCo founder and CEO Ana Hajduka
Africa GreenCo founder and CEO Ana Hajduka

Opinion: Transforming South Africa's manufacturing sector to embrace green and avoid falling behind

By: Creamer Media Reporter      8th August 2024 Transforming South Africa's manufacturing sector to embrace green practices is not just an environmental necessity but a strategic imperative to remain competitive on the global stage, writes Nedbank Commercial Banking national manager Amith Singh, adding that immediate action is needed to ensure... 

Nedbank Commercial Banking national manager Amith Singh
Nedbank Commercial Banking national manager Amith Singh

The NTCSA's immediate priorities  

By: Creamer Media Reporter      8th August 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the role of the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) in the country's electricity system; its current trading status; its plans to secure its own allowable revenue during upcoming tariff deliberations; and whether it has the capacity... 

The NTCSA's immediate priorities
The NTCSA's immediate priorities

Powering Africa’s industrial future with Vertiv industrial solutions

7th August 2024 A recent industrial solutions focused webinar, hosted by global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions Vertiv, provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by, and the innovative solutions available to, the commercial and industrial sectors in Africa. Chaired... 

(From top left) Vertiv MD for Africa Wojtek Piorko, Collaboretix MD Nils Gerstle, Swakop Electrical CEO Jaco Duvenhage, and Vertiv Technical Director for Africa Jonathan Duncan
(From top left) Vertiv MD for Africa Wojtek Piorko, Collaboretix MD Nils Gerstle, Swakop Electrical CEO Jaco Duvenhage, and Vertiv Technical Director for Africa Jonathan Duncan

$613m in JET-IP grants have been allocated to projects, Presidency reports 

By: Terence Creamer     7th August 2024 The Presidency has released new details showing that $613-million of the $821-million in grants pledged to support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) have now been allocated to projects. The disclosure has been made in the second instalment of the online ‘JET Grants... 

Head of the Project Management Office in the Presidency Rudi Dicks
Head of the Project Management Office in the Presidency Rudi Dicks

GoSolr concerned about rising electricity costs 

By: Sabrina Jardim     7th August 2024 Although South Africa has experienced no loadshedding over the past three months, residential solar energy company GoSolr says the energy crisis is far from over, noting that rising electricity tariffs remain a challenge. During a presentation on the company’s second quarterly Light Paper,... 

GoSolr CEO and co-founder Andrew Middleton
GoSolr CEO and co-founder Andrew Middleton discusses the challenge of rising electricity costs (Video and editing: Shadwyn Dickinson)

Securing ringfenced revenue for NTCSA seen as key first step for tackling R390bn grid backlog 

By: Terence Creamer     6th August 2024 Ringfencing revenue for the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) is regarded as a crucial short-term step for ensuring that the newly operationalised Eskom Holdings subsidiary is placed on a firmer financial footing to begin dealing with the estimated R390-billion grid... 

Powerlines

SAWEA concerned about Nersa rejecting Eskom’s grid allocation application

By: Marleny Arnoldi     6th August 2024 The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has expressed concern about the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) decision to reject Eskom’s application to reserve grid capacity for the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). While the... 

Wind farm in Jeffrey's Bay

Africa’s richest city needs R221bn to fix infrastructure 

By: Bloomberg     6th August 2024 Johannesburg, billed as Africa’s richest city because of its concentration of businesses and millionaires, needs R221-billion to catch up on maintenance and overdue upgrades across its collapsing road, power and water networks. The city council discussed the shortfall late last month and detailed... 

The Johannesburg skyline

Growthpoint rolls out renewable energy wheeling scheme at ten properties

By: Marleny Arnoldi     5th August 2024 JSE-listed real estate investment trust Growthpoint Properties has announced a new energy benefit scheme called e-CO2, which it will roll out at ten of its properties in Sandton. This marks a next step in the company’s rollout of its renewable energy transition and will involve providing green... 

Growthpoint's The Towers property, in Sandton

Eskom releases names of transformer suppliers amid rising localisation pressures 

By: Terence Creamer     5th August 2024 Eskom has released the names to Engineering News of the five transformer companies appointed to a panel of suppliers that will compete for upcoming contracts for a total of 101 large-scale transformers to be installed as part of the National Transmission Company South Africa’s (NTCSA’s)... 

Substation and powerline

TNPA issues RFP for 3 MW solar plant for Port of East London

By: Schalk Burger     2nd August 2024 State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has published a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of a 3 MW solar power plant at the Port of East London. This forms part of TNPA’s Renewable Energy Purchase Programme to deploy about 100 MW across all eight South African... 

Scatec sells part of Kalkbult, Linde, Dreunberg plants to Stanlib subsidiary

By: Tasneem Bulbulia     2nd August 2024 Renewable energy company Scatec on August 2 signed an agreement with Stanlib Infrastructure Fund II subsidiary, Greenstreet 1, to sell part of its ownership in the Kalkbult, Linde and Dreunberg solar power plants, with a total capacity of 190 MW, for a gross consideration of R921-million.... 

An image showing the Kalkbult solar plant
Kalkbult solar plant

NTCSA to make own application to Nersa in bid to secure dedicated revenue to maintain and expand grid 

By: Terence Creamer     2nd August 2024 National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) interim CEO Segomoco Scheppers has confirmed that the newly operationalised entity is making an allowable revenue application to the regulator that is distinct from that of Eskom as it seeks to secure the finances it requires for its operations... 

NTCSA interim CEO Segomoco Scheppers
Photo by Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
NTCSA interim CEO Segomoco Scheppers

Joburg Council approves power, water turnaround strategies

By: Tasneem Bulbulia     2nd August 2024 The Johannesburg City Council this week approved the turnaround strategies for City Power Johannesburg and Johannesburg Water, as it aims to bolster essential municipal services across the city. The strategies will now be submitted to the National Treasury in compliance with regulatory requirements. 

An image showing the Joburg Water Diefontein wastewater treatment secondary clarifier
Photo by Creamer Media
Joburg Water Diefontein wastewater treatment secondary clarifier

Grid infrastructure holds potential for South Africa if properly leveraged – expert

By: Tasneem Bulbulia     2nd August 2024 Power and energy expert Vally Padayachee has emphasised the untapped potential and critical importance of optimising the country’s grid system, especially now as it transforms into a high-value smart grid that incorporates smart technologies and serves as a “backup” for renewable-energy power.... 

An image of power and energy expert Vally Padayachee
Vally Padayachee

Africa could see 3.3m new jobs across 12 green sectors by 2030 – report

By: Schalk Burger     2nd August 2024 An estimated 3.3-million new, direct jobs could be created across 12 green subsectors in Africa by 2030, a report published by staffing specialist company Shortlist and development agency FSD Africa, with analysis from consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has found. The 'Forecasting... 

Rows of solar panels

Scatec sells stake in 8.5 MW Rwanda solar power plant to Fortis Green Fund

By: Schalk Burger     2nd August 2024 Renewable energy developer Scatec has sold its 54% equity stake in the the 8.5 MW solar power plant in Rwanda to Fortis Green Fund and Axian Energy Green for $1.38-million. Scatec has also exited from the operations, maintenance and asset management agreements for the power plant and has... 

Burgeoning renewable-energy industry presents legal considerations for stakeholders  

By: Tasneem Bulbulia     2nd August 2024 With renewable-energy demand set to continue to increase in South Africa in the coming years, industry players must be cognisant of how to manage risks and disputes in projects, and will also have to contend with unprecedented legal consequences that are emerging. This was highlighted by speakers... 

An image of A&O Shearman Projects counsel director Mongezi Dladla
A&O Shearman Projects counsel director Mongezi Dladla explains how renewable-energy projects are typically structured and financed; while A&O Shearman South Africa managing partner Gerhard Rudolph provides tangible examples of disputes experienced in renewable-energy projects in the country.

South Africa still owns highly enriched uranium, report says

By: Bloomberg     2nd August 2024 South Africa still has a stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Netwerk24 reported, citing Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe. The nation declared its holdings of the nuclear material, which can be used to build weapons, to the International Atomic Energy Agency as part of... 

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe
Photo by Donna Slater
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe

JSE imposes censure, fine on Eskom for failure to comply with debt listing requirements

By: Tasneem Bulbulia     2nd August 2024 The JSE has imposed a public censure and a fine of R3-million on State-owned utility Eskom over its failure to comply timeously with stipulations of the debt listings requirements (DLRs). Eskom is listed on the JSE as an issuer of debt securities and, therefore, has a continuing obligation to... 

An image showing Eskom's logo on flags
Photo by Bloomberg
The JSE has imposed a public censure and a fine of R3-million on State-owned utility Eskom

Zambia warns it may shut operation at its biggest dam by October

By: Bloomberg     2nd August 2024 Zambia’s State-owned power utility warned it may cease generating electricity at the Kariba dam by October because the nation’s worst drought yet is depleting water levels at the world’s largest artificial reservoir. Zesco is “working frantically” to avoid a shutdown at the Kariba complex, MD... 

Minister plans to review South Africa's electricity pricing policy  

By: Creamer Media Reporter      2nd August 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses Electricity & Energy Minister Kgosientsho Raomokgopa's plans to review South Africa's electricity pricing policy and whether a sustainable outcome is possible. 

Minister plans to review South Africa's electricity pricing policy
Minister plans to review South Africa's electricity pricing policy

Sizeable land crane being launched in Netherlands

By: Halima Frost     2nd August 2024 The behemoth SK6000 land crane being manufactured by heavy lifting and transport specialists Mammoet at its Westdorpe facility in the Netherlands will be launched later this month. The company says the SK6000 ring crane will “redefine modular construction methodologies” across the heavy lifting... 

The SK6000 land crane being developed by Mammoet in Netherlands make out of structural steel and painted Red
MAMMOTH MOVER The land crane being launched by Mammoet later this month will be able to lift higher and heavier components

Balancell expands plant tenfold, seeks govt backing for energy storage industry

By: Irma Venter     2nd August 2024 Energy storage company Balancell is moving into a new R80-million factory in Ndabeni, Cape Town, as the business gears up to grow its capacity roughly tenfold, says chief commercial officer Ian Pieters. The lithium ferro-phosphate battery assembler’s previous plant was limited to 250 MWh capacity... 

Red Rocket completes Brandvalley wind turbine installations

By: Schalk Burger     1st August 2024 Renewable energy power producer Red Rocket Energy has installed the 32 main turbines at the Brandvalley Wind Farm. All 32 Vestas V150-4.5MW wind turbines have been installed 17 months after construction started in 2023. This represents a major step towards reaching the commercial operations date,... 

Steel giant sees first demand ‘green shoots’ in years as GNU prioritises infrastructure and localisation 

By: Terence Creamer     1st August 2024 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA), which has been bemoaning weak domestic demand conditions for several years, reports that it is witnessing signs of “green shoots” in manufacturing and has also expressed cautious optimism over a potential for a recovery in energy-, construction-... 

Steel production

Infrastructure refurbishment investment alone could provide R100bn/y manufacturing stimulus 

By: Darren Parker     31st July 2024 South Africa’s decaying water, electricity and logistics infrastructure presents a R100-billion a year repair and refurbishment investment opportunity that could provide much-needed stimulus for the declining manufacturing sector, Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa COO... 

Infrastructure refurbishment investment alone could provide R100bn/y manufacturing stimulus
Infrastructure refurbishment investment alone could provide R100bn/y manufacturing stimulus

Construction of Nordex's Jeffreys Bay wind turbine concrete tower factory stimulating region 

By: Schalk Burger     31st July 2024 Wind energy company Nordex Energy South Africa, which is building a new wind turbine concrete tower factory in Jeffreys Bay, says the ongoing construction is benefitting the region. “The construction of the plant is stimulating the local economy and fostering growth in the local supply chain... 

Gaia to raise $200m for Africa in Luxembourg climate fund

By: Bloomberg     31st July 2024 Gaia Fund Managers is raising $200-million for investment in African renewable energy plants and power grids with the assistance of Apex Group. The money will be raised through the Gaia Africa Climate Fund which will be domiciled in Luxembourg to allow US and European investors direct access.... 

Solar PV panels installed at a mining operation in South Africa

Only 300 000 Eskom prepaid meters still to be precoded before November deadline

By: Schalk Burger     31st July 2024 State-owned power utility Eskom says 6.6-million out of its 6.9-million prepayment meters have successfully been precoded to ensure that customers will be able to continue to seamlessly buy electricity beyond the November 24 deadline. This is the cut-off date for all prepaid meters in South... 

Prepaid electricity meters

TotalEnergies acquires Scatec’s African hydropower portfolio

By: Sabrina Jardim     30th July 2024 Energy company TotalEnergies has signed an agreement with Norwegian renewable energy company Scatec to acquire its subsidiary SN Power, which holds interests in renewable hydropower projects in Africa through a joint venture with Norfund and British International Investment (BII). Through this... 

Enertrag helps the energyDRIVE team teach Mpumalanga learners about renewable energy

By: Schalk Burger     30th July 2024 Renewable energy development company Enertrag South Africa is a sponsor and participant of Phase 2 of the wind industry’s experiential renewable energy conversation across local schools in Mpumalanga through the energyDRIVE initiative. The company says it recognises the importance of engaging... 

Grid rules should favour shovel-ready projects whether public or private – Minister 

By: Terence Creamer     29th July 2024 Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa indicates that he is in favour of grid-access rules that ensure as much new capacity is added as quickly as possible regardless of whether that new generation is procured through public or private processes. The Minister was responding to a... 

Substation and wind turbines

IRP2023 comments to be workshopped to ensure ‘credible’ outcome

By: Terence Creamer     29th July 2024 Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has committed not to dismiss the more than 4 000 public comments received in response to the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP2023), the content of which has been heavily criticised. Instead, he has promised to host workshops with... 

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
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