From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report. State-owned Eskom’s Komati power station, in Mpumalanga, will be decommissioned and repurposed this year. Darren Parker tells us more.

Darren Parker:

The South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (Saretec), which is based at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), together with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) have signed a partnership agreement with Eskom for the development of a new training facility to be established at the soon-to-be-decommissioned Komati power station.

Eskom Just Energy Transition GM Mandy Rambharos:

Darren Parker:

In addition to the training facility, Komati, which once had 1 000 MW coal-fired generation capacity, will now be repowered with 150 MW of solar, 70 MW of wind and 150 MW of batteries. This new capacity will be brought online by 2030.

Eskom has also established a containerised microgrid assembly factory at the decommissioned power plant.

GEAPP executive director Joseph Nganga:

Darren Parker:

The partnership agreement is said to offer an opportunity for the creation and scaling up of new industries across the renewables value chain. Taking full advantage of these opportunities would require the retraining and upskilling of parts of South African workforce, which is what the training centre aims to address.

CPUT vice-chancellor Professor Chris Nhlapo:

Darren Parker:

The new training centre is envisioned to be the first of many across the country in future.

Sashnee Moodley:

With its acquisition of local pump and part manufacturer Keto Pumps last year, US-based heavy-duty slurry pump manufacturer Schurco Slurry aims to continue to increase its global footprint. As such, Schurco Slurry unveiled its new one piece cover plate liner at this year’s Electra Mining exhibition. Sabrina Jardim tells us more.

Sabrina Jardim:

Schurco Slurry MD Emile Fourie commented that Schurco Slurry’s acquisition of Keto Pumps has enabled the company to leverage its expertise and establish a bigger reach in the African market. He explained that this has, consequently, enabled the company to expand its offering to the Middle East and Europe as well.

Schurco Slurry CEO Emile Fourie:

Sabrina Jardim:

Schurco Slurry introduced its rubber one piece cover plate liner, which is installed in the coverplate of a pump, at this year’s Electra Mining exhibition which took place from 5 to 9 September at Nasrec Expo Centre.

Fourie explained that the one piece liner ensures greater safety for pump installations and decreases liner installation time. Hence, he said the liner provides a simpler and quicker way to replace parts in a pump.

Schurco Slurry CEO Emile Fourie:

Sabrina Jardim:

Fourie added that the product was developed in the United States, and is being rolled out into the African market.

Schurco Slurry CEO Emile Fourie:

Sabrina Jardim:

He added that the company also has other products in the pipeline

Schurco Slurry CEO Emile Fourie:

Sabrina Jardim:

With Schurco Slurry continuously investing in new technology and in modernising its product realisation strategy, Fourie said technology has allowed the company to become more competitive and to ensure that its products of adequate quality.

Schurco Slurry CEO Emile Fourie:

Sabrina Jardim:

Fourie explained that technology has been beneficial for the company’s operations.

Schurco Slurry CEO Emile Fourie:

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.