Breytenbach stresses need to rebuild trust after renewables delay

Participants in the renewable energy sector say they are encouraged by the dedicated infrastructure team that will be set up in the Presidency, as it will give investors more certainty and... 

Fossil Fuel Foundation sees clean coal as a solution for South Africa

The Fossil Fuel Foundation (FFF) has advocated strongly for coal to be retained as a sustainable part of South Africa's energy mix for the short to medium term. “Contrary to the popular belief that... 

Tullow Oil optimistic about prospects in Africa

Oil and gas exploration and production company Tullow Oil has outlined its sharper and deeper focus on Africa, with upbeat outlooks for its projects in both West and East Africa.   Despite a shift... 

Calls for greater transformation in the energy industry

Calls for greater participation by black professionals in the energy industry were made during public hearings into the Integrated Resources Plan (IRP), held at Parliament, on Tuesday. The Black... 

Organisations oppose coal in IRP public hearings

Public hearings into the Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) kicked off in Parliament last week, with several organisations voicing their concerns about the plan’s provision for new coal-fired power... 

Ghana completes conversion of redundant antennae into potent telescope

The launch of Ghana’s Kutunse radio telescope, as well as South Africa’s 64-dish MeerKAT telescope have been lauded as examples of what can be achieved when African countries work together in the... 

GE decries removal of 1 600 MW of coal-fired generation capacity from draft IRP

General Electric (GE) has called on the South African government to reconsider investing in a further 1 600 MW of coal-fired power generation capacity, describing it as "the lifeblood" of South... 

Keep coal’s current share of the energy mix, says NUM

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has called for coal to be retained far more strongly in the country’s energy mix. In its submission on the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2018, the NUM... 

Cosatu calls for overhaul of draft IRP

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has rejected the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2018, calling for an overhaul. It also called for a firm commitment not to retrench workers... 

Keep coal’s current share of the energy mix, says NUM

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has called for coal to be retained far more strongly in the country’s energy mix. In its submission on the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2018, the NUM... 

Renewable energy industry comments on draft IRP

The renewable energy sector in South Africa has welcomed the draft Integrated Resource Plant (IRP) 2018, but has also expressed concerns. “While the IRP forecasting is rational in its choices, it... 

Organisations raise objections to the draft IRP

Industry bodies and organisations have welcomed aspects of the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2018 but have also raised concerns during public hearings held in Parliament on Wednesday. They are... 

GE calls for more coal power within the IRP

General Electric (GE) has called on the South African government to reconsider investing in a further 1 600 MW of coal-fired power generation capacity, describing it as "the lifeblood" of South... 

Calls for greater transformation in the energy industry

Calls for greater participation by black professionals in the energy industry were made during public hearings into the Integrated Resources Plan (IRP), held at Parliament, on Tuesday. The Black... 

Organisations oppose coal in IRP public hearings

Public hearings into the Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) kicked off in Parliament on Tuesday, with several organisations voicing their concerns about the plan’s provision for new coal-fired power... 

PetroSA says it is committed to ethical leadership

PetroSA has told international and local players in the energy space that it is committed to ethical leadership and prudent business management. “What has become pronounced is the issue of ethics... 

South Africa to finalise biofuels regulatory framework by March

The government plans to finalise the long-awaited biofuel blending regulatory framework and have it approved by Cabinet before the end of March 2019, while the Department of Energy (DoE) is also... 

Trailblazers, innovators receive recognition

Trailblazers, innovators and entrepreneurs have been honoured with Best Practices Awards by global market research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. The company held its Growth, Innovation and... 

Trends that are likely to change the way we work and live

Quantum computing and flying cars are two of the top trends that Frost & Sullivan has outlined within its top trends for 2018/19 at its CEO Think Tank in Cape Town.  The company has looked at... 

PIC looks to invest in early-stage tech-driven firms

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has outlined its vision for its recently launched R2-billion fund aimed at early-stage tech-driven companies. PIC executive head of research Sholto Dolamo... 

PIC foresees great opportunity in investing in early stage tech-driven companies

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has outlined its vision for its recently launched R2-billion fund aimed at early-stage tech-driven companies. PIC executive head of research Sholto Dolamo... 

Moves under way to lift SA film industry out of the doldrums

The South African film industry has been going through some troubled times, as local films battle to draw audiences and provinces fail to attract as many foreign film and commercial shoots as in... 

Utility needs to be ‘rightsized’ – Mabuza

Eskom chairperson Jabu Mabuza says the utility is up to 33% overstaffed at all levels and may need to be "rightsized" in time. “We don't know whether we will downsize but we are determined to... 

Some past Eskom employees still have their ‘tentacles in the utility’

Eskom CEO Phakamani Hadebe says Eskom will continue to tighten the screws on implicated former and current employees and suppliers who have drained the utility of its resources and plunged it into... 

Coal suppliers urged to put SA first as Eskom stocks run low

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has suggested that Parliament call in some of the big and small coal suppliers to account for their export of coal, amid increasing concerns about the... 

No concrete plans for now to douse high petrol price

Energy Minister Jeff Radebe has lamented the sharp rise in the petrol price but has not announced any concrete plans to douse the situation. He says a cluster of Ministers has been seconded to see... 

Coal suppliers urged to put South Africa first

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has suggested that Parliament call in some of the big and small coal suppliers to account for their export of coal, amid increasing concerns about the... 

Policy still constraining Cape Town’s push to boost renewables penetration

The City of Cape Town is working hard to meet its target for renewable energy to make up 20% of total energy used in the city by 2020. It is also following international blueprints and plans to... 

Researchers build scientific research cloud to process MeerKAT images

Three universities are making strides in an extensive project to build a computing infrastructure capable of processing the vast amounts of data that will come from the MeerKAT telescope. The... 

Wind industry calls for standard metrics for employment in the energy sector

The South African wind industry has called for a standardised metric to determine employment in the energy sector.   Currently all South African coal power-related employment studies use the metric... 

Panasonic launches its new headquarters in Cape Town

Prompted by a growing customer base in the Western Cape, Panasonic South Africa has launched its new South African headquarters in Century City, in Cape Town. “We are excited about our new... 

Wind energy industry warned of tough road ahead

A leading economist has warned the wind energy industry that it will need to become even more competitive and lower the price of wind power in a stagnant and increasingly challenging South African... 

WWF calls on airline industry to help stop the trafficking of wildlife

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has called on airlines and airports to work together to stop widespread wildlife trafficking.   “Wildlife trafficking is a global challenge. The very existence... 

Acsa in airport partnerships with African nations

The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) says it is working with its counterparts in Mozambique, Zambia and Ghana on the commissioning of airports. ACSA COO Fundi Sithebe says the company is... 

African airlines boost routes, but taking financial strain

African airlines have notched up an encouraging number of new routes, but are still in a poor financial position overall, the Aviation Development Conference, AviaDev, has heard. In a keynote... 

More airlines fly into Cape Town, connecting countries in Africa

Two African airlines have launched flights to Cape Town over the past month, bringing more business and tourism opportunities to the Mother City. Kenya Airways launched a nonstop direct flight from... 

SA steel firms urged to diversify markets in light of US tariff setback

South African steel companies need to continue to look for new markets, particularly in Africa, following the recent setback in which the US government decided not to grant South Africa an... 

Cape steel works officially reopened following R550m investment

The Cape Town Iron and Steel Works (Cisco) plant has been officially opened in Kuils River, near Cape Town. The plant has created 300 direct and another 120 indirect jobs, with another 200 in the... 

Biomimicry is one of the top tech trends, says expert

Nature-inspired design – biomimicry – has been highlighted as one of the key technology trends that will shape the future and is beginning to transform industries across the world. The rapidly... 

Good corporate citizenship in a post-State-capture South Africa

A string of corporate governance failures and climate change challenges have cranked up the pressure on companies to become better corporate citizens and take care of the environment they are...