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Transmission & Distribution News

Renewables hosting capacity of existing Western Cape grid could be doubled with 10% curtailment

By: Terence Creamer 14th September 2023 An assessment by two leading European transmission system operators (TSOs) of an Eskom-generated grid analysis shows that the capacity of the existing Western Cape grid to host variable renewable generators could be doubled under a scenario where no more than 10% curtailment is implemented.... →

Energy Council CEO sees 2023 as a turning point in the energy crisis, but warns of slow decarbonisation progress

By: Darren Parker 14th September 2023 Industry body the Energy Council of South Africa CEO James Mackay has said there is sufficient reason to believe that loadshedding could end as early as the end of 2024, but warns that South Africa is not on track to meet its decarbonisation targets. Mackay was speaking at the Solutions From the... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Darren Parker
Energy Council of South Africa CEO James Mackay

Government aims to help derisk Northern Cape green hydrogen projects

By: Darren Parker 11th September 2023 Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency acting project management unit manager Shawn Modise has said the government aims to play a key role in derisking green hydrogen projects in support of the Northern Cape’s green hydrogen ambitions, while enabling support for... →

South Africa to co-host grid financing seminar with JSE in September

By: Terence Creamer 10th September 2023 Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that he is planning to co-host a seminar with the JSE in September to unpack various financing options for the expansion of South Africa’s electricity grid. Insufficient investment in the transmission system over the past number of years has... →

The seminar will be co-hosted with the JSE

Firm offers immediate solar solutions

8th September 2023 Solar energy company SunSource Solutions remains committed to not only providing immediate solutions to South Africa's energy challenges but also contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. By promoting the adoption of solar energy, the company aims to reduce carbon... →

ONE OF MANY SunSource Solutions offers many solar energy solutions to the South African Market

Solar streetlights installed along Gqeberha street

By: Halima Frost 8th September 2023 Lighting manufacturer BEKA Schréder has supplied its solar lighting highmast the SOLARFLOOD solution for the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, along a stretch of Stanford road in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, in June. This installation is the result of the municipality’s initiative to keep cables... →

A 20m high streetlight with a solar panel on top installed along Stanford Road in Gqeberha with the area in the background

FLYING HIGH The solar power street light installation by BEKA Shreder on Stanford Road in Gqeberha lights up the road and area during loadshedding

First skid delivered to Free State client

By: Halima Frost 8th September 2023 Prefabricated deployment solutions developer Turnkey Modular rolled out the first of multiple solar alternating current (ac), low-voltage/medium-voltage, step-up skid or ‘E-Houses’ in July for chemicals and energy company Sasol Chemicals Midlands, in Sasolburg, in the Free State. The skid will be... →

A solar alternating current (ac), low-voltage/medium-voltage, step-up skid or ‘E-House' on show at Turnkey modular's manufacturing site in Germiston

POWER HOUSE The solar alternating current, low-voltage/medium-voltage, step-up skid or ‘E-House' has been delivered to Sasol Midlands

Kenhardt hybrid plant to prove competitiveness of dispatchable renewables – Scatec CEO

By: Terence Creamer 7th September 2023 The global head of renewable-energy group Scatec is “extremely enthusiastic” about the market opportunities in South Africa, where he says variable wind and solar generation offer the cheapest and quickest route to injecting electricity into the loadshedding-prone grid. It is also where the... →

Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog

South Africa wants $8.5bn climate plan wrapped up by COP28

By: Bloomberg 7th September 2023 Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy said she expects the long-delayed implementation plan for an $8.5-billion climate pact with some of the world’s richest nations to be completed by the COP28 summit that starts on November 30. The so-called Just Energy Transition... →

G7 Renewable Energies withdraws case against Eskom's interim grid rules

By: Terence Creamer 7th September 2023 G7 Renewable Energies has withdrawn its High Court review against Eskom's Interim Grid Capacity Allocation Rules (IGCAR), following what it describes as “meaningful industry engagements” that have resulted in an “amicable resolution”. On June 17 Eskom unveiled the interim rules, which sought to... →

As new Mulilo chair, Jan Oberholzer hopes to support 5 GW expansion

By: Terence Creamer 6th September 2023 South African independent power producer Mulilo Energy has appointed former Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer as its new non-executive chairperson as it gears up to grow its renewables and battery storage portfolio by about 5 GW over the coming five years. The appointment became effective from September 1. →

Jan Oberholzer

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

M&R 'still in race’ to regain RUC as it seeks to rebuild from 2023 shock

By: Terence Creamer 31st August 2023 Downscaled engineering and contracting group Murray & Roberts (M&R) is continuing with efforts to regain control of RUC, the Australian mining services business it lost when its Australian holding company and Clough entered voluntary administration in December. Speaking at the company’s results... →

Photo by Creamer Media
M&R CEO Henry Laas

Vodacom, Eskom sign historic first virtual wheeling agreement

By: Natasha Odendaal 30th August 2023 Telecommunications giant Vodacom and South African State-owned power utility Eskom on Wednesday signed a first-of-its-kind virtual wheeling agreement that moves the JSE-listed firm closer to its goal of sourcing 100% of its electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2025 while adding... →

Eskom interim CEO Cassim Calib, Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub and Vodacom South Africa CEO Sitho Mdlalose

Transitional arrangements will enable new grid company to function as buyer and system operator – DPE

By: Terence Creamer 30th August 2023 The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has confirmed that transitional arrangements are being put in place to ensure that the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) will be able to play the role of a transmission system and market operator ahead of legislative changes catering... →

Distribution is ‘albatross’ of power system – Ramokgopa

By: Bloomberg 28th August 2023 South Africa’s electricity distribution system is “an albatross” beset by fighting between the national power utility and municipalities as the government takes steps to stabilize the grid, according to the electricity minister. State-owned Eskom Holdings has focused on improving the performance... →

Eskom mulling new curtailment approach to unlocking grid capacity as it pursues 47 priority projects

By: Terence Creamer 25th August 2023 State-owned utility Eskom has confirmed that it is prioritising 47 grid-related projects within its larger R210-billion Transmission Development Plan (TDP) that it believes could collectively add 37 GW of connection capacity over the coming few years. It is also close to finalising the approach... →

Emissions requirement postponed for Kusile

25th August 2023 The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) announced in June that the National Air Quality Officer (NAQO) has granted State-owned power utility Eskom a postponement to meet Minimum Emission Standards (MES) at its Kusile power station. The postponement will be in effect from... →

A view of a Kusile stack through a maze of metal scaffolding

KEEPING KUSILE The emissions standards requirement which needs to be met by Kusile has been postponed untill March 2025 by The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Judgment in favour of power utility welcomed

25th August 2023 State-owned power utility Eskom in July said it was pleased with the Johannesburg High Court judgment dismissing with costs, the interdict application by green energy supplier G7 Renewable Energies to prevent Eskom from implementing the Interim Grid Capacity Allocation (IGCA) rules. In passing... →

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

Eskom gets R16bn tranche of State help with debts

By: Reuters 22nd August 2023 South Africa's Treasury has paid R16-billion to heavily indebted power utility Eskom, the first tranche of a debt relief package that will wipe off more than half its liabilities, acting CEO Calib Cassim said on Tuesday. The Treasury offered a total of R254-billion to the State-owned company in... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Eskom acting CEO Calib Cassim

DPWI details efforts to support energy security

By: Schalk Burger 21st August 2023 Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala on August 20 said the department was supporting efforts by the Electricity Minister to improve energy security. Among its efforts, the department was working to urgently acquire properties for the expansion of State-owned Eskom's... →

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala

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

R30bn distribution backlog poses risk to supply beyond current generation shortfall – Ramokgopa

By: Terence Creamer 20th August 2023 Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has acknowledged that South African cities and towns face the real prospect of ongoing power interruptions even if the balance between supply and demand is restored, owing to significant investment backlogs in the distribution sector. Quoting from... →

Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Brics energy ministers agree to cooperate to improve access, reduce emissions

By: Terence Creamer 18th August 2023 Energy Ministers and officials from the Brics bloc met in Sandton on Friday to discuss potential areas of collaboration for improving access to secure and affordable energy, while transitioning to cleaner energy systems. The meeting was chaired by South Africa’s Mineral Resources and Energy... →

South Africa’s Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, chaired a meeting of Brics Energy Ministers and officials where it was agreed that the countries would cooperate to on a range of energy matters. Camera Work & Editing: Shadwyn Dickinson. Recorded: 18.08.2023

Eskom making virtual wheeling strides but says national framework still required

By: Terence Creamer 17th August 2023 Eskom reports that it has made material advances in developing what it calls a ‘virtual wheeling product’ that will allow one or more generators to transact with multiple offtakers, including those supplied by municipal distributors. However, the utility insists that a national wheeling framework... →

Johannesburg starts prepaid meter update before it all goes dark next year

By: News24Wire 17th August 2023 City Power has begun its installation and reset of prepaid electricity meters in Johannesburg before they all stop working next year. The electricity entity began visiting customers in residential homes in Hursthill on Wednesday, with 200 City Power agents targeting 4 000 households daily. →

Urgent electricity bill - key to solving SA's power crisis - delayed by admin bungle

By: News24Wire 16th August 2023 An urgent piece of legislation that is key to overcoming SA's energy crisis has yet to be introduced into Parliament, it emerged on Wednesday, raising the fear that it will not be passed this year. The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill was approved by the Cabinet in March with the promise by... →

Loadshedding: No special treatment for Joburg during Brics summit, says Ramokgopa

By: News24Wire 14th August 2023 Johannesburg will get no special treatment from Eskom when it hosts a major Brics summit later this month, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has said. The 15th Brics summit will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg between 22 and 24 August. The summit will be... →

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Godongwana provided PFMA consent for unbundling of Eskom’s distribution unit in 2022

By: Terence Creamer 13th August 2023 Government has again moved to dismiss suggestions that the unbundling of the Eskom generation, transmission and distribution businesses into three separate entities can be regarded as privatisation, noting that it is in line with a long-standing policy as well as a restructuring plan for Eskom... →

Eskom unbundling, ERA promulgation will demonstrate electricity reform ‘political will’

By: Terence Creamer 11th August 2023 Energy Council of South Africa CEO James Mackay believes an expedited promulgation of the Electricity Regulation Amendment (ERA) Bill together with the unbundling of Eskom will send a clear signal to stakeholders and investors that the “political will” exists to place the country’s poorly... →

Energy Council of South Africa CEO James Mackay

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

Gordhan insists unbundled distribution business to remain State-owned as he approves Eskom asset transfer

By: Terence Creamer 10th August 2023 Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has given an assurance that there is no plan to privatise any of the three Eskom entities of generation, transmission and distribution currently being unbundled in line with a policy initially outline in the so-called ‘Eskom Roadmap’ of 2019. In a... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan

Presidency says progress being made to increase grant funding for Just Energy Transition Investment Plan

By: Terence Creamer 8th August 2023 The Presidency is exploring several avenues for increasing the grant component in the financing of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), following broad-based stakeholder criticism about the limited nature of such funding in the initial $8.5-billion pledge made by... →

Electricity reforms prioritised amid uneven progress

4th August 2023 South Africa’s electricity reforms are again being prioritised amid uneven progress. Engineering News editor Terence Creamer unpacks the developments. →

Electricity reforms prioritised amid uneven progress

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... →

ABB invests R10m in local medium-voltage switchgear manufacturing capability

By: Darren Parker 2nd August 2023 Technology company ABB has invested more than R10-million to complete additional technology transfer that brings the manufacture of UniGear ZS1 medium-voltage switchgear to South Africa. This move forms part of the company’s strategic plans to strengthen local manufacturing. Previously, the... →

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