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Renewable Energy News

Half of turbines for Koruson 1 wind farms delivered to site

By: Schalk Burger 3rd July 2024 About half of the 237 turbine blades and other components required for the Koruson 1 cluster of wind farms, being built on the border of the Eastern and Northern Cape provinces, have been delivered to site. The Koruson 1 cluster comprises the Phezukomoya, San Kraal and Coleskop wind farms and is... →

South Africa seeks to renegotiate coal pact tied to $2.6bn

By: Bloomberg 3rd July 2024 South Africa is seeking to alter the terms of a landmark agreement under which it promised to cut its reliance on coal in exchange for access to financing. The government of President Cyril Ramaphosa is pushing to renegotiate a deal with Climate Investment Funds (CIF), a group tied to the World... →

A truck transporting coal, with a power station in the background

Decision to impose duties on PV modules met with mixture of surprise and support

By: Terence Creamer 3rd July 2024 The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) has expressed surprise at government’s decision to introduce a 10% import duty and rebate on “photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panels” in the absence of consultations with domestic consumers. The trade measure has... →

Separation of energy portfolio and Ramokgopa’s appointment praised amid rising energy-transition complexity

By: Terence Creamer 1st July 2024 The decision to establish a separate energy portfolio with the African National Congress’s Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as Minister and the Democratic Alliance’s Samantha Graham as Deputy Minister has been welcomed by stakeholders and commentators alike. There are already warnings, however, that the... →

Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa speaking during an Eskom power station visit while still Electricity Minister

Eskom to hit CO2 targets despite coal plant extension, CEO says

By: Reuters 28th June 2024 South Africa's state power company Eskom will meet its target to reduce carbon emissions by 71-million metric tons a year by the end of the decade, its new CEO said on Friday, despite scrapping plans to retire six coal-fired power stations by then. But CEO Dan Marokane said Eskom's immediate... →

SolarSaver showcases innovations of its latest solar installation in Melrose Arch precinct

By: Marleny Arnoldi 28th June 2024 Energy company SolarSaver has successfully completed a solar installation at the Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch and the African Pride Hotel, both of which are based in the Melrose Arch precinct in Gauteng. Owing to the limited available roof space for solar panel installation, SolarSaver... →

Marriott Hotel, in Melrose Arch

The future of Operation Vulindlela

By: Creamer Media Reporter 28th June 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the issues tackled during Phase 1 of Operation Vulindlela and the successes achieved thus far; the likelihood of Operation Vulindlela continuing as programme of action under the new government of national unity; and what could be on the agenda... →

The future of Operation Vulindlela

Event to highlight key African projects

28th June 2024 The upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 conference will focus on critical industry issues and investment opportunities in Africa's energy sector, including discussion on key energy projects and Africa’s burgeoning green hydrogen industry. The conference will be held... →

An image of the 2023 African Energy Week central stage

TOWN HALL MEETING The Town Hall central stage at the upcoming African Energy Week conference will unite key stakeholders to address challenges and opportunities in Africa's energy sector

Government interventions key for hydrogen development

28th June 2024 Green hydrogen is hailed as critical for a low-carbon energy future, with Africa well-positioned to be a key player in this sector. However, realising the continent’s potential requires African governments’ intervention to derisk and encourage investments, according to global law firm A&O... →

An illustration of the Cleanergy Pilot Plant near Walvis Bay, Namibia

A VISION OF THE FUTURE Notable projects in Morocco, and initiatives in Mauritania, Djibouti, Namibia and South Africa, showcase Africa’s potential as a future global hub for green hydrogen production

First phase of 1 GW SunCentral solar farm breaks ground

By: Darren Parker 27th June 2024 Independent power producer SolarAfrica Energy has officially broken ground on its first utility-scale solar farm in the Northern Cape. Known as SunCentral, Phase 1 of this project will total about 342 MW in generation capacity, with Phases 2 and 3 to raise the capacity to 1 GW, making it one of... →

Starsight Energy group CEO Paul van Zijl; Proconics CEO Melvin Jones; Eskom senior adviser IPPs Motlatsi Makhari; SolarAfrica Energy CEO David McDonald; Emthanjeni local municipality Mayor Lulamile Nkumbi; and Eskom senior adviser IPPs Moreetsi Balepile

Africa50 pledges $100m to accelerate renewable-energy projects, infrastructure

By: Schalk Burger 26th June 2024 Infrastructure investment and asset management company Africa50 has pledged up to $100-million to fund and co-finance renewables-based energy transition projects and infrastructure across Africa through the International Renewable Energy Agency's (Irena's) Energy Transition Accelerator Financing... →

Legislative certainty amid government shuffle crucial for continued renewable-energy investment

By: Darren Parker 26th June 2024 A clear and certain legislative framework is critical for enabling sustainability and green energy investments in South Africa going forward, especially given the changes taking place in government following unprecedented outcome of the May 29 elections, Absa Corporate and Investment Banking... →

In this video, Absa Corporate and Investment Banking environmental, social and governance head Msizi Khoza, Absa regional operations strategy and business transformation executive Linda Sing, and Enel Green Power Southern Africa country manager Manuele Battisti discuss renewable energy investment in Africa.

‘Second wave’ of Operation Vulindlela set to prioritise ‘green and digital’ growth

By: Terence Creamer 25th June 2024 The ‘second wave’ of government’s Operation Vulindlela initiative is poised to be widened to include additional structural reforms to those that have been pursued to date in electricity, freight logistics, telecoms, water and skills with the goal of stimulating higher levels of economic growth... →

South Africa could leverage its potent solar and wind resources to power green manufacturing

435 kW solar, battery system ensures Naboom Plastic can produce, reduce backlog

By: Schalk Burger 25th June 2024 Clean energy developer Blue Energy Africa has built a hybrid 435 kW solar and battery storage system for planting bags producer Naboom Plastic, in Mookgophong, Limpopo. The system provides the producer with energy security and operational resilience, as well as saving 80% to 90% on its previous... →

Solar panels installed at Naboom Plastic's operations in Limpopo

Students complete internship programme at Enel Green Power’s solar plants

By: Sabrina Jardim 25th June 2024 A group of ten young women from the Nkangala Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College, in Mpumalanga, have successfully completed a six-month internship programme at various solar plants owned by Enel Green Power across South Africa. Organised by the RES4Africa Foundation... →

Tshwane's energy procurement plans

By: Creamer Media Reporter 21st June 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the City of Tshwane's plans to procure 1 000 MW of new electricity generation capacity and how it is likely to proceed with the procurement processes for that capacity. →

Tshwane's energy procurement plans

Companies collaborate to enhance solar PV compliance, recycling practices

By: Sabrina Jardim 19th June 2024 In a bid to champion extended producer responsibility compliance and solar PV recycling practices, producer responsibility organisation (PRO) Circular Energy has embarked on a strategic partnership with PV CYCLE. PV CYCLE is a European PRO offering compliance and managing the end-of-life phase of... →

City of Tshwane pushing ahead with plan to procure 1 000 MW by 2026

By: Terence Creamer 19th June 2024 The City of Tshwane is signalling its intention to proceed with plans to procure and/or revive 1 000 MW of electricity generation capacity by 2026 as part of a strategy aimed at improving security of supply and reducing its dependency on Eskom. Executive Mayor Cilliers Brink told delegates... →

Executive Mayor of Tshwane Cilliers Brink

Only 40% of developing-country utilities are financially sustainable, World Bank warns

By: Schalk Burger 19th June 2024 The majority of electric utilities in developing countries are ill-equipped to meet growing demand for power and add more renewable energy into the grid, thereby hindering global energy transition goals to provide clean, reliable and affordable electricity to all, development cooperation... →

WEF Energy Transition Index at its highest ever, but global progress slowing

By: Schalk Burger 19th June 2024 The global energy transition to a more equitable, secure and sustainable energy system is still progressing, but has lost momentum in the face of increasing uncertainty worldwide, international economic organisation the World Economic Forum's (WEF's) Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2024 shows. The... →

TNPA moves to integrate desalination, renewables at Port Elizabeth and Ngqura ports

By: Terence Creamer 18th June 2024 South Africa’s Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued requests for proposal (RFPs) for the construction of two solar-powered seawater desalination plants and a hybrid renewables-battery facility to service its Nelson Mandela Bay ports, in the Eastern Cape. TNPA is seeking bidders... →

TNPA's head office at the Port of Ngqura

V&A Waterfront signs deal to raise green-electricity contribution to 70% by 2026

By: Terence Creamer 18th June 2024 Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Etana Energy for 43 GWh of renewable energy yearly, which will result in wind and solar supplying 70% of the iconic mixed-use property’s electricity by early 2026. The PPA follows a similar deal between Etana... →

V&A executive manager: operations André Theys

Eskom targets JETP funds and partnerships for 2 GW clean-energy pipeline

By: Terence Creamer 14th June 2024 Having recently confirmed a decoupling of its just energy transition strategy from the decommissioning of its coal-fired power stations, Eskom is aiming to finalise business cases for a pipeline of renewable energy and battery storage projects, some of which could be deployed in close proximity... →

candi solar secures $38m funding for clean energy expansion in South Africa, India

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 14th June 2024 Clean energy company candi solar has successfully closed its Series C funding round, securing $38-million in equity investment. The round was led by Norfund, Kyuden International, and STOA Infra and Energy. →

An image showing a candi solar project in South Africa

candi solar has a wide geographical presence across South Africa and India

South Africa preparing to pilot independent transmission projects to bolster grid’s renewables capacity

By: Terence Creamer 13th June 2024 The National Treasury has confirmed that South Africa is moving to pilot a model that will enable the private sector to participate directly in the development and operation of transmission grid infrastructure, drawing lessons from the country’s experience in procuring generation capacity from... →

GWK's Christiana maize mill gets 1 MW solar PV system

By: Schalk Burger 13th June 2024 Independent power producer Decentral Energy has commissioned a 1 MW solar PV system at food producer GWK's Farm Foods Christiana maize mill. The ground-mounted, grid-tied solar PV system, which was designed and constructed by engineering, procurement and construction contractor Energy Gurus, will... →

The 1 MW solar PV plant at the GWK maize mill

Nepoworx, Harambee unveil youth work readiness programme in solar installations

By: Sabrina Jardim 13th June 2024 Renewable energy skills development agency Nepoworx, in collaboration with Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, has announced the launch of their first iteration of the Youth Work Readiness Programme in solar installations for 120 young South Africans. This initiative invites 100 youth aged 18... →

Diversification of energy generation, consumption important for businesses, Discovery Green says

By: Schalk Burger 12th June 2024 Businesses are increasingly prioritising the procurement of renewable energy, and especially solar energy, owing to loadshedding, electricity cost increases and risks associated with high carbon footprints, but run the risk of increasing their total energy costs, including from variability... →

Benchmarking study highlights slow pace of South Africa’s grid-connection system

By: Terence Creamer 12th June 2024 A new benchmarking assessment of South Africa’s electricity grid access queueing mechanisms indicates that Eskom’s systems are slower and less transparent than those being implemented in developed and developing countries analysed as part of the study. Published by the RES4Africa Foundation, the... →

Solar installations slow in South Africa after blackouts ease

By: Bloomberg 12th June 2024 Repairs to South Africa’s coal-fired stations that have helped the State power utility avoid debilitating blackouts for three months straight is giving solar installers an unintended break. Until March, Eskom had inflicted power cuts for as many as 12 hours a day due to unreliable units prone to... →

Africa added 2 GW of hydropower last year, but IHA says 90% of on-river potential untapped

By: Terence Creamer 12th June 2024 Africa added over 2 GW of hydropower capacity in 2023 but 90% of the continent’s on-river hydropower potential remains untapped, a new report states. Published by the International Hydropower Association (IHA), the ‘2024 World Hydropower Outlook’ reports that Africa added more new capacity in... →

Photo by International Hydropower Association
New hydropower capacity by region in 2023

South Africa urged to integrate successful global grid-battery strategies to support roll-out

By: Terence Creamer 12th June 2024 South Africa should consider ways to replicate strategies employed in regions such as South Australia and California to facilitate an accelerated uptake of grid batteries, which a new International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) report states can be introduced to support grid... →

Eskom's Hex grid-battery installation

South Africa’s climate focus needs to shift from setting targets to tangible results – Moosa

By: Terence Creamer 11th June 2024 South Africa is now entering a new and more demanding phase of climate action, Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) deputy chairperson Valli Moosa asserts, stressing that the focus is not only on setting targets but on delivering tangible results. His statement follows the publication of the... →

The risk of floods has increased in certain part of South Africa as a result of climate change

Solar PV panels rolled out at 150 Engen fuel stations in Southern Africa

By: Schalk Burger 11th June 2024 Solar power provider SolarSaver, which serves as fuel retailer Engen's official solar provider, has installed solar PV systems at 150 Engen Petroleum fuel stations across Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. The installations, with a combined capacity of nearly 6.59 MW, will produce 12.2-million... →

Solar PV panels installed at the Engen Meadowridge fuel station

Eskom seeks executive to lead renewables division

By: Bloomberg 10th June 2024 South Africa’s Eskom Holdings is looking for a manager to lead its clean energy projects even as the utility extends the use of coal plants to mitigate nationwide electricity shortages. The group executive will be “responsible for leading and overseeing the renewable energy initiatives within... →

Transmission lines, solar panels and wind turbines

Civil society coalition emphasises need for accountability, transparency, equity to achieve a ‘fair’ just transition

By: Schalk Burger 10th June 2024 A coalition of civil society organisations from Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa and Vietnam on June 10 launched their ‘Principles for a Fair Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)’, which emphasises the integral need for accountability, transparency and equity in climate finance.... →

ARC portfolio companies demonstrate resilience in challenging conditions

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 7th June 2024 JSE-listed African Rainbow Capital (ARC) Investments says that, despite an unfavourable macroeconomic environment for the quarter ended March 31, several portfolio companies have demonstrated resilience, and it remains committed to identifying promising investment opportunities In an update on... →

An image showing Kropz's Elandsfontein mine

The ARC Fund continues to support the Elandsfontein mine’s operational ramp-up

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