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Renewable Energy News

RMB funded renewables projects worth R50bn last year and is gearing up for private grid prospects

By: Terence Creamer 19th September 2024 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, while positioning itself to also finance private grid projects in future. Infrastructure sector... →

Kwikot launches smart geyser powered by solar PV and grid power

By: Schalk Burger 19th September 2024 Commercial and industrial geyser and boiler manufacturer Kwikot on September 18 launched its new Elon Smart Water heating system – a smart geyser system that uses solar PV-generated electricity and/or grid power. The Elon solution was developed by electricity technology startup company... →

The Elon Smart Water thermostat

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

By: Terence Creamer 18th September 2024 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 majority of respondents expressed concern about possible negative impacts for themselves and their... →

Metair to swing to interim losses

By: Creamer Media Reporter 18th September 2024 JSE-listed Metair expects to report a loss a share of between 2.7c and 3.3c for the six months ended June 30, compared with earnings a share of 48c reported for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The company says it is likely to post a headline loss a share of between 2.7c and 3.3c for the six... →

Phelan Green Energy signs agreement with Enercap for 1.5 GWh energy storage system

By: Schalk Burger 18th September 2024 South African solar energy company Phelan Green Energy has signed an agreement with United Arab Emirates-based energy storage technology company Enercap for the deployment of a 1.5 GWh Supercap energy storage system. The battery storage system will significantly enhance Phelan Green Energy's... →

New report underlines importance of improving grid infrastructure for renewables rollout

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 17th September 2024 Renewable energy has the potential to provide much of the world’s energy demand, but this can only be achieved through urgent improvements in grid infrastructure and integrated planning, international policy network REN21’s latest report posits. Last year, renewable energy hit a record high,... →

COP29 leaders unveil climate funding and energy storage goals

By: Reuters 17th September 2024 Less than two months ahead of the COP29 United Nations Climate Summit, the Azerbaijani leadership laid out its plans on Tuesday for what it hoped to achieve, as countries continue to wrestle with how to raise ambitions for a new financing target. The main task for the November summit is for... →

Mukhtar Babayev

Transparent solar glass for generating power from building facades launched in South Africa

By: Darren Parker 13th September 2024 Through a collaboration between Australian glass solar technology developer ClearVue and local technology distributor Concept Business Solutions, a novel transparent glass solar panel technology for use in building facades has been launched in South Africa. Concept Business Solutions will be the... →

South Africa told by Germany its energy transition too slow

By: Bloomberg 13th September 2024 South Africa has been told that the pace of its energy transition is too slow by a key funder, Germany, Environment Minister, Dion George, said. Germany is one of the partners in the so-called Just Energy Transition Partnership, a $9.3-billion climate finance pact between South Africa and some of... →

Zambian copper mines desperate for power find an unlikely saviour

By: Bloomberg 13th September 2024 Zambia’s biggest mines are turning to a surprising power source as the copper-producing nation battles an unprecedented energy crisis: South African electricity company Eskom Holdings, which until March faced its own severe deficit. An historic drought has stifled hydropower turbines that Zambia... →

A mine in Zambia owned by First Quantum Minerals

EIB, FirstRand Bank boost renewables investment in South Africa with R7.9bn initiative

By: Creamer Media Reporter 12th September 2024 The European Investment Bank (EIB) and FirstRand Bank have announced a €400-million (R7.9-billion) joint initiative to invest in renewable-energy infrastructure and energy efficiency projects in South Africa. Each party will contribute €200-million to the initiative, with the investment aimed at... →

South Africa set for massive changes as energy market pivots, renewable energy grows

By: Schalk Burger 12th September 2024 South Africa will need about 150 GW of renewable-energy generation and associated transmission infrastructure by 2050, meaning it needs to build about 6 GW of renewable-energy capacity each year. It currently has about 6.4 GW of renewable energy generation in operation, about 3 GW of embedded... →

Webinar facilitator South African Wind Energy Association CEO Niveshen Govender in conversation with Independent Power Producers Office head Bernard Magoro; South African Independent Power Producers Association chairperson Brian Day; NOA Group CEO Karel Cornelissen; and EY-Parthenon strategy and innovation leader Heather Orton as they discuss South Africa's renewable energy report card and investment outlook.

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

By: Terence Creamer 11th September 2024 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, which is supporting the development of private solar PV and wind projects in South Africa. The... →

Photo by EIB
European Investment Bank VP Ambroise Fayolle

Zimbabwe’s biggest miners seek $182m for solar projects

By: Bloomberg 11th September 2024 Some of Zimbabwe’s biggest miners are seeking $182-million to develop 200 MW of locally-generated solar power, according to the head of the renewables company responsible for the projects. The agreement was signed between Grid Africa and the Intensive Energy User Group, whose members include... →

Chinese firms to build Namibia's largest solar power plant

By: Reuters 10th September 2024 Namibia's State-owned power utility NamPower on Monday said it had signed a contract with two Chinese firms to start building the country's largest solar power plant. The southern African country is a net importer of electricity, relying on neighbouring Zambia and South Africa for power, but the... →

R628m in EU grants to support South Africa’s goal of building green-hydrogen ecosystem

By: Terence Creamer 9th September 2024 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 across Transnet’s rail, port and pipeline operations, including to prepare them for the production... →

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson at a briefing in Pretoria

Windaba 2024 conference to be attended, as official patron, by Energy Minister Ramokgopa

By: Rebecca Campbell 9th September 2024 The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has announced that the official patron for the 2024 iteration of its flagship conference, Windaba, will be Energy and Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. This will be the second year in a row that he will attend Windaba. Windaba 2024,... →

Photo by Bloomberg
Energy and Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Engie sees African renewables industry as ripe for consolidation

By: Bloomberg 9th September 2024 Engie, the French utility that led a $1-billion buyout of a rival’s renewable energy assets in Africa last year, expects more deals to be seen in the industry across the continent. While focusing on integrating the assets it bought from Actis rather than seeking more acquisitions, Engie is... →

Solar panels, wind turbines and transmission infrastructure

Investment company on track to meet net-zero energy goals

By: Nadine Ramdass 6th September 2024 As part of its ambition to achieve Landlord Scope 1 and 2 Net-Zero Carbon by 2030 as well as implement sustainable practices, property investment company Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) has successfully implemented portfolio-wide energy management improvements, says sustainability lead specialist Brian... →

An image of solar panels at the Eastgate Shopping Centre

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS L2D produced 6 517 MWh through solar energy in 2023, savings of over R11.8-million in electricity costs.

Cybersecurity crucial for companies embracing solar

By: Nadine Ramdass 6th September 2024 As more companies integrate solar energy systems to meet their power needs, it is essential that they invest in cyber-secure technologies to protect against cyberthreats and ensure continuous power, says.solar technology specialists SolarEdge Technologies cybersecurity programme director Uri... →

FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS Companies must carefully consider future regulatory changes when investing in solar systems

EU targets carbon emissions through import tariff

By: Nadine Ramdass 6th September 2024 The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), set to come into effect in 2026, is poised to drive companies exporting to the EU to rethink their energy strategies and adopt renewable-energy solutions, such as solar power, says solar installation specialist Solana Energy business development... →

An image of solar panels installed for a manufacturer

WEIGHING OPTIONS Businesses exporting to the EU will incur import charges according to Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism if they do not invest in renewable-energy

Competitive energy sector drives innovation

By: Nadine Ramdass 6th September 2024 The competitive landscape for utility-scale renewable energy has significantly changed over the past decade, with developers driving more aggressive funding terms to remain competitive, says financial institution Standard Bank power head Rentia van Tonder. The shift in the competitive landscape... →

An image of Standard Bank power head Rentia van Tonder

RENTIA VAN TONDER Financing solutions need to be innovative and adaptable

Emerging solar tech crucial in energy mix

By: Nadine Ramdass 6th September 2024 Solar power integration, through PV, concentrated solar power (CSP) technology in specific applications, and hybrid solutions including battery energy storage systems (BESS), is crucial in South Africa’s energy mix as global energy demands continue to rise, says independent power producer (IPP)... →

An image of ENGIE South Africa engineering head Seshni Naidoo

SESHNI NAIDOO Solar energy is crucial in ensuring a sustainable, secure and affordable energy supply

Company prioritises local sustainability pillars

By: Halima Frost 6th September 2024 As testament to its renewed commitment to sustainability and generating shared value for customers, global waste and wastewater management company EnviroServ has earmarked three key pillars to improve on its sustainability targets. EnviroServ, a SUEZ company, is in alignment with the global... →

A man and woman, in EnviroServ attire and PPE sorting through waste at one of its sites

GETTING SORTED EnviroServ has renewed its commitment to sustainability and waste management with three pillars and refined global targets

Financial savings displacing loadshedding as main driver of residential solar market

By: Terence Creamer 5th September 2024 The South African market drivers for residential, commercial and industrial solar PV and battery installations have started shifting towards cost savings from security of supply as loadshedding wanes, GoSolar CEO Andrew Middleton asserts. Although installations in 2024 are likely to be well below... →

GoSolr CEO Andrew Middleton

French green energy finance group has invested in South African solar energy company

By: Rebecca Campbell 5th September 2024 France-based global sustainable investment and asset management group Mirova has announced that it is making its first investment in South Africa, a $15-million long-term debt financing arrangement with South African renewable energy development company and independent power producer SolarAfrica... →

Photo by SolarAfrica
A SolarAfrica industrial solar PV installation, at the Sovereign Foods plant, in Hartbeespoort

Rebranded WEG committed to supporting customers meet their sustainability goals

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 5th September 2024 Electrical equipment manufacturer WEG has worked for a year to internally evolve its brand, rebranding from Zest WEG to WEG, and with this comes an increased focus on sustainability. WEG has established its presence in Africa over four decades under the Brazil-headquartered Zest WEG brand. →

Photo by Creamer Media's Tasneem Bulbulia
WEG Africa CEO Eduardo Werninghaus

Nigeria and China sign economic, nuclear energy pact

By: Reuters 4th September 2024 Nigeria and China agreed to strengthen ties in the Belt and Road initiative, human resources development and nuclear energy after the countries' leaders met on Tuesday, a government spokesperson said. China is Nigeria's biggest bilateral lender, with loans amounting to $5-billion at the end of... →

Sasol confirms refinements being made to emissions reduction pathway

By: Terence Creamer 3rd September 2024 Energy and chemicals group Sasol has reiterated that its target to reduce its greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 30% by 2030 remains in place, but has also confirmed that it is refining its “pathways” towards meeting that goal. In a note to shareholders, the JSE-listed group indicated that these... →

Sasol CEO Simon Baloyi

South Africa is losing its trade competitiveness edge

By: Schalk Burger 2nd September 2024 Enormous investments are being made in ports, rail and transport logistics in Southern Africa, as well as more broadly in Africa, including by international companies and consortia. "Global companies that are investing in infrastructure across the continent. This is happening because of the... →

South African energy transition hampered by system modelling expertise shortage – Energy Council

By: Darren Parker 30th August 2024 The Energy Council of South Africa has warned of a shortage of energy system modelling expertise in the country at what it says is a critical time, when complex and important choices need to be made regarding South Africa’s energy transition. “This can largely be attributed to a lack of technical... →

Marokane says ‘holistic’ conversation needed on tariff rules and other regulatory gaps

By: Terence Creamer 30th August 2024 Eskom CEO Dan Marokane says the State-owned company is eager to participate in a “holistic conversation” about the gap that has emerged between the changes under way in the electricity sector and the rules governing the industry, including those related to the way tariffs are set. In an exclusive... →

Photo by Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
Eskom CEO Dan Marokane

WesBank introduces residential solar finance of up to R500 000

By: Irma Venter 30th August 2024 WesBank has added residential solar finance to its portfolio, extending its product mix beyond vehicle and leisure finance products. The new addition gives personal clients in South Africa access to credit to finance the installation of home solar solutions. →

Survey shows renewable energy product affordability is a challenge for SMEs

By: Schalk Burger 29th August 2024 Consumers and businesses believe there are many competitors in the renewable energy products market, but affordability may be a potential barrier to accessing renewable-energy solutions, which may inhibit the widespread adoption of these products, a survey conducted by the Competition Commission... →

IDC optimistic of industrial investment recovery following fall in disbursements to R15.9bn

By: Terence Creamer 29th August 2024 South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is optimistic of converting the rise in business confidence that has accompanied the recent easing in loadshedding and visible efforts to address freight logistics bottlenecks into higher levels of investment this year, following a decline... →

Interim IDC CEO David Jarvis

Ener-G-Africa launches new solar panels at Cape Town exhibition

By: Rebecca Campbell 28th August 2024 South African sustainable energy products company Ener-G-Africa has launched its latest products, a 550 W and, especially, a 275 W solar panel, at the 2024 Solar & Storage Conference and Exhibition, in Cape Town. While the 550 W is a standard size in the solar panel industry, the 275 W is not.... →

SPS commissions R135m solar project at Aqunion abalone farm

By: Irma Venter 28th August 2024 Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) has started to test and commission a R135-million solar PV and battery solution project for abalone farmer Aqunion, a subsidiary of the Sea Harvest Group. Construction of the solar system began in November last year. →

The Aqunion abalone farm in Romansbaai

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