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Storage News

Ramokgopa working with DMRE to have updated IRP released for consultation soon

By: Terence Creamer 2nd September 2023 Although persisting with his position that he has the powers to determine the sources of new generation, Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says because the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE’s) updating process is well advanced, he is supporting the department in... →

An updated IRP and Eskom's restructuring make headlines

By: Creamer Media Reporter 1st September 2023 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe's plan to take an updated Integrated Resource Plan through Cabinet processes soon and the latest update from the Department of Public Enterprises on Eskom's restructuring. →

An updated IRP and Eskom's restructuring make headlines

Two more risk mitigation hybrid projects take steps toward financial close

By: Terence Creamer 31st August 2023 Two more preferred bidders selected as part of the much-delayed Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP), which was launched as an emergency procurement round in 2020, have signed project agreements signalling legal close and have until December to reach... →

Mantashe aiming to secure Cabinet approval for ‘IRP 2023’ in Sept

By: Terence Creamer 29th August 2023 Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe is aiming to seek Cabinet approval to publish an updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for public consultation during an upcoming Cabinet meeting in September. Speaking on the sidelines of a critical minerals summit in Sandton, Mantashe... →

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe

Microgrid roll-out gaining traction

By: Halima Frost 25th August 2023 After the successful commissioning of State-owned power utility Eskom’s third microgrid, at the Swartkop dam, in the Northern Cape, the company aims to launch its next two microgrids at Nomalengena Village, in the Eastern Cape, and Nounieput, also in the Northern Cape, by December 31, 2023. The... →

A solar and battery powered microgrid developed and built by Eskom at the Swartkop dam in the Northern Cape

SEEING THE LIGHT Eskom has rolled out its third solar microgrid as part of a greater plan to provide universal access to electricity using clean and reliable technologies to remote areas

TIPS sets out to create a South Africa-focused Just Transition Transaction Framework

By: Darren Parker 21st August 2023 Independent, nonprofit economic research institution Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) has launched research on a proposed Just Transition Transaction Framework. During a webinar on August 17, the institution introduced the content of the framework and the process for improving the... →

Renewable energy and fossil fuel power infrastructure

Koeberg, battery storage and Eskom's unbundling make headlines

By: Creamer Media Reporter 11th August 2023 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the latest developments with regard to the Koeberg nuclear power station, a big battery storage programme and the unbundling of Eskom. →

Koeberg, battery storage and Eskom's unbundling make headlines

Fuel type key to success

By: Sabrina Jardim 11th August 2023 Amid ongoing power outages and energy constraints, new approaches to fuel selection and efficiency among chemical plants have become necessary, says boiler and energy plant operations and maintenance service provider Associated Energy Services (AES) commercial director Dennis Williams. Any... →

An image of AES commercial director Dennis Williams

DENNIS WILLIAMS Any opportunity to manage the efficient generation and supply of energy carriers, such as steam or thermal oil, presents an opportunity to improve efficiencies in a chemical plant’s main production process, owing to chemical plants being energy intensive

Stanlib Asset Management acquires Solareff, GridCars; enables PPAs

By: Irma Venter 7th August 2023 Stanlib Asset Management has acquired 51% of Solareff, through its Stanlib Infrastructure Fund II. Stanlib Asset Management is a local investor in sustainable infrastructure. →

DMRE aims to unveil battery storage preferred projects in two months after receiving 17 bids

By: Terence Creamer 4th August 2023 A total of 17 bids have been received in response to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE’s) inaugural public procurement for battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. The BESS request for proposals was launched on March 7 with an initial bid submission deadline of July 5,... →

Alternative funding models for South Africa’s R235bn grid investment outlined in new report

By: Terence Creamer 3rd August 2023 To unlock the estimated R235-billion in investment required to strengthen and expand the grid in a way that positions it to connect the 53 GW of new generation capacity that will be required by the early 2030s, a new consultation paper has been published making the case for South Africa to... →

Only approved inverters to be accepted from October, warns City of Cape Town

By: Irma Venter 25th July 2023 The City of Cape Town has announced that all solar photovoltaic (PV) and/or battery systems connected to the wiring of a building must be registered with the city before installation. Also, from October onwards, only city-approved inverters will be accepted for these systems. →

Hyphen, Namibian govt launch socioeconomic development framework

By: Cameron Mackay 24th July 2023 The Namibian government and green energy supplier Hyphen Hydrogen Energy on July 24 launched the socioeconomic development SED framework for Namibia’s landmark $10-billion green hydrogen project. The framework is an integral part of the feasibility and implementation agreement (FIA) which... →

Eskom launches Swartkopdam microgrid in Northern Cape

By: Darren Parker 24th July 2023 State-owned Eskom’s distribution business has launched another microgrid, this time at Swartkopdam, about 150 km from Upington, in the Northern Cape. Microgrids are capable of electrifying geographically challenging areas that are either difficult to access or require extensive capital... →

Solar installation lights way for shoppers

By: Halima Frost 21st July 2023 South African lighting solutions manufacturer BEKA Schréder completed the supply of a solar streetlight installation for a shopping centre in Alberton, Gauteng. A total of 24 BEKA Schréder SOLARPOLEs were supplied to the Blue Crane Ridge Shopping Centre, in Meyersdal. →

An aerial shot of the Blue Crane shopping centre at night well lit by all of the BEKA Schréder SOLARPOLE Lighting systems whch have been installed in the parking area

DE-LIGHTING SHOPPERS The new lighting solution installed by BEKA Schréder at the Blue Crane shopping centre offers increased visibility and safety

Eskom system operator doesn’t foresee grid instability should both Koeberg units be offline simultaneously

By: Terence Creamer 19th July 2023 Eskom’s system operator GM, Isabel Fick, does not foresee the Western Cape power grid being materially destabilised if both of Koeberg’s two nuclear reactors are out of service simultaneously later this year, owing to yet another Unit 1 outage slip. She noted during a webinar that the two Koeberg... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Power lines with Koeberg in the background

Opinion: How South Africa could seize the moment and build renewables and battery value chains

18th July 2023 The draft South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) has been released for public comment. In this article, Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, who is a facilitator of the SAREM process, outlines the importance of policy in creating the anchor demand that is required for a successful... →

Gaylor Montmasson-Clair

Fitch maintains South Africa's ratings, says an ANC election loss won't mean new economic policies

By: News24Wire 18th July 2023 On Monday, Fitch again maintained its "BB-" credit rating on South Africa – despite now expecting no economic growth this year. The US credit rating agency kept its "stable" outlook on South Africa’s long-term foreign and local currency debt ratings. →

Grid still seen as key risk for upcoming renewables round despite reduction in govt guarantee

By: Terence Creamer 18th July 2023 The government-default component of the government guarantees extended to the independent power producers (IPPs) that will be selected to build new solar and wind projects under the upcoming seventh bid window (BW7) of South Africa’s programme for the procurement of renewable energy will be... →

IPP Office head Bernard Magoro

Actom wins battery energy storage system supply contracts

By: Schalk Burger 17th July 2023 Electrical equipment and services company Actom has been awarded contracts to supply battery energy storage systems (BESSs) for two international electrical companies appointed to design, execute and manage the first phase of State-owned Eskom's two-phase programme, launched earlier this year.... →

Battery energy storage systems manufactured by Actom

US agency sees Lobito rail corridor helping to diversify critical minerals supply chains

By: Terence Creamer 12th July 2023 US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) CEO Scott Nathan has reiterated the American government’s interest in helping to finance the Lobito rail corridor, linking the copper and cobalt mining regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to Angola’s Lobito port.... →

Rapid action needed if African countries are to meet SDG7

By: Darren Parker 12th July 2023 For Africa to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) target of ensuring everyone can access affordable, dependable, sustainable and modern energy, there needs to be rapid implementation of comprehensive policies and the creation of a supportive environment in which United Nations (UN)... →

Eskom to launch solar, battery tenders in 2024 as part of Komati ‘repowering’

By: Terence Creamer 7th July 2023 Eskom reports that concessional funding of $497-million secured for the repowering and repurposing of the Komati coal power station, in Mpumalanga, is expected to become effective at the end of July. The final unit of Komati, which entered into commercial operation in 1961, was shut on October 31... →

Solar panels in front of Komati's cooling towers

Opinion: Embracing renewable energy – a catalyst for sustainable mining

6th July 2023 In this article, JUWI Renewables South Africa MD Richard Doyle shares insights from a recent Africa Energy Forum panel discussion during which experts from the renewable energy and mining sectors explored ways to overcome challenges to and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in mining. →

JUWI Renewables South Africa MD Richard Doyle

Grid storage uptake in South Africa lacks ‘direction or momentum’

By: Terence Creamer 5th July 2023 A new report published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) highlights that grid storage has yet to gain “direction or momentum” in South Africa, despite a growing recognition of the role that both utility scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) and other storage... →

SA’s deep-level mines could hold big gravity energy storage potential

By: Marleny Arnoldi 30th June 2023 Although gravity-based energy storage (GES) as a technology is still in its infancy globally, stakeholders from industry and academia have highlighted its potential in the South African mining industry. Gravity-based systems are being investigated worldwide as an option for the long-term... →

Mix of energy generation, storage necessary to end loadshedding – analyst

By: Sabrina Jardim 30th June 2023 Amid a widening energy generation deficit, brought on by the declining performance of State-owned utility Eskom’s coal fleet, economics consultancy Meridian Economics energy analyst Dr Peter Klein argues that numerous forms of new generation and storage capacity are urgently needed to reduce... →

CONSIDERATIONS The deployment of BESSs in South Africa’s current constrained system must focus on unlocking opportunities from additional generation sources

EAIF commits €11.5m for Senegal solar PV, battery energy storage project

By: Schalk Burger 28th June 2023 Development finance organisation the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) has committed an €11.5-million senior secured loan to develop the first project-financed solar photovoltaic (PV) plant and battery energy storage system (BESS) in the north of Senegal. The Walo facility will be a 10... →

Bid submission deadline for battery storage programme postponed to 2 August

By: Terence Creamer 27th June 2023 The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has postponed the bid submission date for the public procurement of battery energy storage systems (BESS) from July 5 to August 2. The postponement was confirmed on June 27, along with confirmation that compulsory bid registration, including... →

ENGIE, Meridiam acquire BTE Renewables

By: Cameron Mackay 26th June 2023 Green energy supplier ENGIE and global investor Meridiam have signed a sales and purchase agreement with global investor ACTIS for the acquisition of developer, owner and operator of renewable assets in Africa BTE Renewables. BTE Renewables also has an operating presence in South Africa and Kenya. →

Lossmaking Bushveld still striving for profitability; appoints new CE

By: Darren Parker 21st June 2023 Vertically integrated vanadium producer Bushveld Minerals, which has appointed Craig Coltman to succeed Fortune Mojapelo as CE from July 1, continues to undertake various initiatives to ensure profitability in the current financial year, improve the company's capital structure, secure a more... →

Craig Coltman has been appointed CE of Bushveld Minerals

Two-thirds of energy transition finance in developing economies to be private – report

By: Terence Creamer 21st June 2023 Yearly clean energy investments in emerging and developing economies will need to more than triple from $770-billion currently to as much as $2.8-trillion by the early 2030s in order to meet rising energy demand in a way that is aligned with the Paris Agreement, a new international report states.... →

Investments in clean electrification, grid infrastructure and efficiency are the main components of the increase in spending.

Policy gaps, rigid legislation highlighted as key hurdles in just energy transition

By: Darren Parker 20th June 2023 Policy gaps and rigid legislation continue to hold back South Africa’s energy transition, according to a new report supported by diversified miner Anglo American and compiled by research organisation Economist Impact titled ‘Powering Progress: Policy shifts and economic frameworks to enable South... →

Renewable energy and fossil fuel sources

Trade unions sign new wage deal with Eskom

By: Reuters 15th June 2023 South African trade unions at power utility Eskom have signed a new three-year wage agreement with a 7% pay rise for each year, two unions said on Thursday. Negotiators for the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and Solidarity had been... →

South Africa seeks a way to allow Eskom to take on green debt

By: Reuters 15th June 2023 South Africa's finance ministry has appointed a consultant to come up with a plan by August to allow utility Eskom to accept-billions in loans designed to help it cut its carbon emissions when the government has blocked it from taking on new debt. Wealthy nations, including Britain, France,... →

Cape Town’s draft energy strategy sets goal of adding 650 MW within five years

By: Terence Creamer 14th June 2023 Cape Town’s energy strategy, which has been released for public comment, envisages the addition of 650 MW of new independent generation within five years in line with the city’s stated goal of protecting itself against four stages of loadshedding by 2026. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis indicates that... →

Solar panels with Cape Town in background

Manufacturers, free trade can help to overcome Africa's energy crisis

By: Schalk Burger 12th June 2023 African manufacturers have a significant role to play in helping to remedy the continent’s energy crises by developing innovative solutions for energy storage and access. By creating products tailored to the needs of the African context, manufacturers can help reduce energy poverty, increase... →

Actom Group CEO and Manufacturing Circle chairperson Mervyn Naidoo

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