Fuel cell electric vehicle demonstration seen as catalyst for nascent green hydrogen economy

In a milestone for South Africa’s nascent green hydrogen economy, three large corporates have teamed up to showcase the potential of using domestically produced hydrogen as a zero-emission... 

As Kusile unit returns early, South Africa misses renewables procurement deadline

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has welcomed the earlier-than-expected return of Kusile Unit 3 coal-fired generation, but has also acknowledged that government simultaneously failed to... 

JET pledges rise to $11.9bn as South Africa moves to finalise implementation plan

The South African government has received additional pledges, worth nearly $3.5-billion, in support of its Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP), increasing the overall envelope of... 

Export component of South Africa’s green hydrogen strategy will seek to lock in price subsidies

The initial export component of South Africa’s yet-to-be-approved Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy is not premised on the trade of scarce renewable electrons – converted into molecules or... 

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

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... 

SIU’s Mothibi says contents of private Eskom investigation ‘cannot be ignored’

Special Investigating Unit head Advocate Andy Mothibi says the fact that former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter did not receive board authorisation to commission a private intelligence investigation into... 

Localisation policy locking SA into ‘wrong path’ – report

A new Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) report argues that the South African government’s policy of localisation is locking the country “into the wrong path” of rising protection and... 

Solutions vs problems

There are many differences between Australia and South Africa, and these should not be dismissed or diminished. However, there are also several similarities, particularly when it comes to natural... 

Small set of common ESG standards should govern access to capital for critical minerals investment - BHP

BHP CEO Mike Henry has called for a “small set of common standards” covering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) to underpin the access to capital required to unlock investment in the... 

Eskom aiming not to breach Stage 4 loadshedding this summer

Eskom is aiming to limit loadshedding to Stage 4 during the summer months to the end of March by restricting unplanned breakdowns to 14 500 MW during what is also its high-maintenance season, when... 

Roadmap to ‘fundamentally reform’ freight logistics sector by end of October

Government has committed to finalise a Freight Logistics Roadmap, outlining a sequenced set of actions to fundamentally reform the logistics system, by the end of October. The commitment was made... 

IDC reports surge in disbursements to R17.8bn despite economic headwinds

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has reported a 147% surge in disbursements to R17.8-billion for 2022/23, up from only R7.2-billion in the prior year – a performance that is within... 

Creecy upholds decision allowing Kusile to bypass pollution system, with tighter conditions

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has upheld the decision of the National Air Quality Officer (NAQO) to permit the temporary operation of the Kusile coal power station... 

Early Kusile restart uncertain as Creecy adjudicates emissions appeal

The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment (DFFE) has confirmed that Minister Barbara Creecy is still adjudicating an appeal of the National Air Quality Officer’s (NAQO’s) decision... 

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

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... 

As new Mulilo chair, Jan Oberholzer hopes to support 5 GW roll-out

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... 

Party pooper

As D-Day for the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) approaches, it is evident that the National Treasury will need to go against the political grain if it is to achieve its objective of... 

Grid investment ‘fully funded’ for next three years, but scale-up requires alternative models

Eskom has indicated that it has sufficient funding for the coming three years for the grid infrastructure investments that will be pursued in line with its Transmission Development Plan, but says... 

Energy Regulator approves two outstanding licences for new grid company

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved the two licence applications required for the operationalisation of the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA),... 

Diesel supply problem blamed for low OCGT use during intense loadshedding week

Eskom has confirmed that problems in the diesel supply chain last week meant that it did not operate its open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) as “hard” as it would have done normally in a context where... 

M&R continuing with efforts to regain RUC as it seeks to rebuild from 2023 shock

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... 

Two more risk mitigation hybrid projects take steps towards financial close

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... 

New grid company to be buyer and system operator under transitional arrangements

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... 

Debt derailment?

As with so much else in South Africa currently, the indication given by new Transnet chairperson Andile Sangqu that the State-owned freight logistics group may require an equity injection is... 

Cabinet consulted on IRP update, but further input required before public release

Cabinet was consulted on the updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity during its meeting on September 13, but the document will be further consulted and revised before it is released... 

SIU’s Mothibi says contents of private Eskom investigation ‘cannot be ignored’

Special Investigating Unit head Advocate Andy Mothibi says the fact that former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter did not receive board authorisation to commission a private intelligence investigation into... 

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

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... 

Inoperative Kusile units could be up and running sooner as Eskom reports good progress on temporary stacks

The temporary stacks being introduced at the Kusile coal power station, where three previously operational units have been out of service for ten months, have been built and interim CEO Calib... 

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

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... 

Here we go?

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has confirmed that he aims to secure Cabinet approval to publish an updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for public consultation during a... 

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

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... 

Rise in planned maintenance, spike in breakdowns trigger ‘unwelcome’ Stage 6 return

Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has attributed the “unwelcome” resumption of Stage 6 loadshedding, during which business and residential areas experience rotational cuts for as much... 

New Transnet chair hints at possible equity injection as group slumps to R5.7bn loss

New Transnet chairperson Andile Sangqu has indicated that the troubled State-owned freight logistics group, which has hitherto prided itself on being financially self-sufficient, may require and... 

South Africa now taking an average of 25 months to complete tariff investigations, report shows

It is currently taking an average of 25 months for government to complete import duty investigations and to provide the necessary Ministerial approvals for the South African Revenue Service to... 

DCT Pier 2 partnership could be template for more collaborations at other terminals, TPT chief asserts

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) CEO Jabu Mdaki is optimistic that the joint venture (JV) with International Container Terminal Services Incorporated (ICTSI) will be implemented from the start of the... 

Participants in consortia vying for Boegoebaai project confirmed

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has released details of the companies participating in the three consortia shortlisted to participate in an upcoming bidding process to design, fund and... 

Laggard costs

The cost of failing to keep pace with what is required economically and environmentally for energy sustainability should surely now be plain for all to see. Besides the fiscal costs associated with... 

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

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... 

Contract with preferred mining cadastre bidder could be signed within months – DMRE

Amid renewed calls for a functional online mining cadastre to help turnaround South Africa’s declining exploration performance, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) reports that a... 

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

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...