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... 

Gordhan criticises Eskom’s ‘elongated’ restructuring timelines, wants grid company trading from Nov

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has criticised Eskom’s “elongated” restructuring timeframes and has called for greater urgency and drive from the utility in completing the remaining... 

Eskom expects NTCSA to begin trading from April

Eskom expects the remaining suspensive conditions required for the operationalisation of the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) to be met by the end of its current financial year... 

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... 

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... 

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... 

Pieterse says results of State configuration review could be made known before November

New National Treasury director-general Dr Duncan Pieterse reports that recommendations arising from a joint review by the National Treasury and the Presidency regarding the configuration of... 

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... 

New report says localisation policy locking South Africa into ‘wrong path’

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... 

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... 

Nedlac mulls new social compacting models after failure of ‘big trade-off’

With South Africa’s social partners having failed to agree the social compact that President Cyril Ramaphosa called for in his 2022 State of the Nation Address, participants to the 28th National... 

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... 

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... 

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... 

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

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... 

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... 

Creecy calls for non-debt instruments to help Africa build climate resiliency

South Africa’s Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has again called for new financial instruments, particularly non-debt instruments, to be pioneered in Africa to assist the continent in overcoming... 

TPT moves to lease key port equipment amid spares crunch at DCT Pier 2

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is seeking to lease straddle carriers and ship-to-shore cranes at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 for the coming 12 months, in light of the flagship... 

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

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... 

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... 

Two more risk mitigation hybrid projects take steps toward 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... 

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

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... 

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... 

Just Share wants Sasol’s appeal for alternative measurement of Secunda’s air pollution rejected

Sasol’s appeal of the National Air Quality Officer’s (NAQO’s) July 11 refusal to approve an alternative approach for measuring the sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from the 17 coal boilers at the... 

Draft Freight Logistics Roadmap promised by year-end

A new ‘Freight Logistics Roadmap’ is currently undergoing an internal government consultative process for publication before the end of the year, the latest Operation Vulindlela progress update... 

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

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...