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Transmission & Distribution News

Expanded pilot project planned to help munis pay Eskom as arrear debt continues to rise

By: Terence Creamer 12th August 2024 Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that a new pilot project is being prepared to further “stress test” an initiative aimed at ensuring that municipalities settle their accounts with Eskom in a context where municipal arrear debt has grown to about R78-billion. The... →

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... →

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

$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

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... →

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... →

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)... →

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... →

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

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.... →

Vally Padayachee

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-... →

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

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... →

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... →

CoJ to review R200 surcharge on prepaid electricity for indigent residents

By: Schalk Burger 26th July 2024 The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) will review the R200 surcharge on prepaid electricity meters in response to concerns raised by residents and various stakeholders, says Finance MMC Dada Morero. However, infrastructure maintenance, upgrades and services, including the cost of supply studies done by... →

Regulations prohibiting two suppliers in one area need to be changed – Eskom

By: Schalk Burger 26th July 2024 State-owned power utility Eskom says the current National Energy Regulator of South Africa- (Nersa-) approved rules for Licensable Distribution Areas of Supply prohibit two or more licensees supplying in the same area. In explaining the position it took during a July 18 virtual public hearing... →

Shoprite group rolls out electricity wheeling at a third site

By: Irma Venter 25th July 2024 The Shoprite retail group has started wheeling renewable electricity at its home office in Brackenfell, Cape Town, making it the company’s third site to implement this energy solution. Wheeling involves the buying and selling of electricity between private parties, using an existing grid to... →

Shoprite's Brackenfell site

Standard Bank backs 500-MW-worth of decentralised electricity projects post reforms

By: Terence Creamer 24th July 2024 Standard Bank reports that it has provided funding to South African decentralised electricity projects with a combined capacity of more than 500 MW over the past two years, following regulatory changes allowing such projects to proceed without a licence. Operation Vulindela, which oversaw the... →

Standard Bank head of power Rentia van Tonder

Economic growth a top priority for GNU

By: Creamer Media Reporter 19th July 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the key themes of interest to business raised during President Cyril Ramaphosa's Opening of Parliament speech; the ongoing and new reforms that will be pursued by the Government of National Unity; and the immediate priorities from an economic... →

Economic growth a top priority for GNU

Eskom makes shock objection to issuance of trading licences

By: Terence Creamer 18th July 2024 Eskom has lodged a surprise objection to the issuance of licences to private traders in areas where its distribution entity currently holds a licence, arguing that the current rules of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) prohibit two or more licensees supplying the same area.... →

Actom builds first 66 kV transformer, sets sights on further expansion in Africa

By: Schalk Burger 12th July 2024 Electromechanical equipment manufacturer Actom, which has manufactured its first 66 kV transformer, says it plans to supply small high-voltage (HV) power transformers in Africa, as part of plans to expand into more African countries. HV transformers are typically used in the electricity... →

Electricity distribution challenges, load reduction make headlines

By: Creamer Media Reporter 12th July 2024 Engineering News and Mining Weekly Deputy Editor: Online Marleny Arnoldi discusses the burning issues raised by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa during his first media briefing following the appointment of a Government of National Unity Cabinet; as well as Eskom's... →

Electricity distribution challenges, load reduction make headlines

Eskom implements load reduction in seven provinces, but loadshedding remains suspended

By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th July 2024 With continued cold winter weather, increasing electricity theft and the indiscriminate use of electricity, the issue of network overloading has resurfaced in seven of South Africa’s provinces, State-owned power utility Eskom advises. The utility will, therefore, implement load reduction in... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Eskom distribution group executive Monde Bala

Last year was pivotal for the power sector, Energy Council says

By: Schalk Burger 5th July 2024 2023 was a pivotal year for South Africa’s power sector, as unprecedented loadshedding undermined the economy and society, industry organisation the Energy Council of South Africa says. “We can confidently state that we have turned the corner on loadshedding. We have emerged stronger and better... →

Separation of energy portfolio welcomed

By: Creamer Media Reporter 5th July 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to separate the energy portfolio from that of mineral and petroleum resources; what the priorities are for the new leadership of the energy portfolio; and the potential risks facing the new Ministry. →

Separation of energy portfolio welcomed

ProMarks, Trafigura sign MoU with Angola govt to develop PPP model for power transmission

By: Schalk Burger 5th July 2024 Electrical engineering company ProMarks and industrial conglomerate Trafigura have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Angola to conduct a technical and economic viability study and develop a public-private partnership model for a major regional power transmission... →

NTCSA starts trading

By: Darren Parker 1st July 2024 The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has officially begun trading, establishing the NTCSA as a duly constituted separate, distinct and wholly owned subsidiary of State-owned utility Eskom. This marks a significant step in the Department of Public Enterprises’ (DPE’s) roadmap for... →

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

Nersa approves tariff increases for new financial year, City Power unpacks higher charges

By: Marleny Arnoldi 28th June 2024 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved the tariff applications of 178 licenced electricity distributors, including municipal and private distributors, for the 2024/25 financial year. The new tariffs become effective on July 1. →

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

Man receives five-year prison sentence for tampering with Eskom infrastructure

By: Schalk Burger 27th June 2024 The Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court has sentenced a man to five years in prison, wholly suspended for five years, for falsely representing himself as an Eskom contractor to the residents of Marhambeni, in Mthatha, and tampering with Eskom’s infrastructure. The man was hired by... →

Gauteng municipalities urged to comply with STS rollover before November

By: Schalk Burger 26th June 2024 The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has urged municipalities across Gauteng to comply fully with the November 24 deadline for the implementation of the Standard Transfer Specification (STS). The STS is an internationally recognised standard for the transfer of electricity and... →

Eskom issues tender for 26 large transformers to panel of five selected suppliers

By: Terence Creamer 24th June 2024 Eskom reports that it has appointed five transformer companies to a panel of suppliers that will compete for upcoming contracts for a total of 101 large-scale transformers that will be installed over the coming four years as part of its Transmission Development Plan (TDP). The suppliers were not... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Transmission MD Segomoco Scheppers

CoJ, City Power say High Court did not consider all evidence in Eskom case

By: Darren Parker 21st June 2024 In response to a recent Johannesburg High Court order favouring State-owned utility Eskom in a payment dispute with the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and City Power, the CoJ and City Power say the court did not fully consider critical aspects of the evidence. “While we accept and respect the... →

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

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

NTCSA on track to begin trading on July 1, Marokane says

By: Terence Creamer 14th June 2024 Eskom CEO Dan Marokane has confirmed that the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) is on track to begin trading on July 1 and that the new entity was being set up to operate as a fully independent subsidiary even though it would continue to be owned by Eskom Holdings and be located... →

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

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