Transnet urged to engage before presenting a R100bn bail-out ‘invoice’

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has not “closed the door” on Transnet’s move to secure a reported R100-billion in balance-sheet support to assist with its recently released turnaround plan.... 

Details of incentives for new energy vehicles in February

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana confirmed on Wednesday that government intended implementing tax and expenditure measures to support the domestic automotive sector’s transition to new energy... 

Municipalities owing Eskom R56.8bn apply to participate in debt write-off scheme

The National Treasury has confirmed that a total of 67 municipalities, which collectively owe Eskom R56.8-billion, or 97% of the municipal arrears debt of over R58-billion owed to the utility at... 

No plan to review use of Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account

The National Treasury has confirmed that there is no immediate plan for a review of the Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account (GFECRA), which some economists have argued should be... 

Municipalities approved for Eskom debt relief could rise to 67 – Eskom

Eskom’s head of distribution Monde Bala reports that Eskom and the National Treasury are hoping that the number of municipalities participating in the Eskom Municipal Debt Relief Support Programme... 

Eskom warns of another R23bn loss as loadshedding underpins R24bn collapse

Eskom has warned that it is likely to report another R23-billion-plus loss for its current financial year to the end of March 2024, having belatedly confirmed a loss of R24-billion (R12-billion)... 

TP Nchocho appointed chair of inaugural TNPA board

Outgoing Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) CEO Tshokolo Petrus (TP) Nchocho has been appointed chairperson of the inaugural Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) board. Nchocho, who... 

US trade chief Tai set to travel to South Africa for Agoa Forum

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai will travel to South Africa from October 31 to November 4, during which she will co-chair the 20th Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) Forum, which is... 

Municipal credit risk a big challenge as Eskom gears up to implement virtual wheeling

The credit risk associated with municipalities in arrears to Eskom poses a challenge to the roll-out of the utility’s proposed virtual wheeling platform and is also likely to limit the ability of... 

Study under way into producing green direct reduced iron at mothballed Saldanha Works

Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) is moving ahead with a study into the production of green hydrogen directly reduced iron (gHDRI) at its mothballed Saldanha Steel Works, in the... 

Win-win solution

As outlined previously in this column, it makes sense to place exports at the heart of South Africa’s upcoming Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy, despite misplaced concern that this... 

‘Open and transparent’ third-party rail access system by April

State-owned freight logistics group Transnet has confirmed that an open and transparent framework for granting private train operating companies’ third-party access to the South African railway... 

Transnet’s recovery plan premised on securing govt capital injection

Absent an equity injection or debt relief from government, Transnet chairperson Andile Sangqu says the State-owned entity will not be able to deliver on what he described as a “credible” recovery... 

$1bn World Bank loan to support South Africa's energy reforms and decarbonisation

The World Bank has approved a $1-billion Development Policy Loan (DPL) to support market reports under way in the country, as well as South Africa's low-carbon transition.   

Distribution crisis requires attention on same ‘scale and intensity’ as generation shortfall

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has described South Africa’s highly fragmented electricity distribution industry as a threat to energy security that warrants attention “on the scale and... 

Eskom targets 1 000 MW as it launches cross-border standard purchase offer

South Africa’s electricity utility Eskom is aiming to contract for 1 000 MW of additional electricity imports from it regional neighbours using a cross-border standard offer programme (CBSOP),... 

First attempt to add third-party rail participants derails amid moves towards bigger reform

Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and Traxtion Sheltam report that they have agreed to terminate the conditional 2022 award of slots to Traxtion Sheltam between Kroonstad and East London on the Cape... 

‘Height of folly’ to develop overreliance on aged coal plants for future supply

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says attention should shift to adding new and cleaner generation to the loadshedding-prone electricity system, acknowledging that it would be the “height... 

Pace of energy transition will define South Africa’s economic prospects – Olver

Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) executive director Dr Crispian Olver says South Africa’s energy transition and the pace at which it progresses will determine the country’s long-term economic... 

Standard Bank to finance 4 GW of renewables projects in next 12 months

Standard Bank reports that it has financed 400 MW of distributed generation since government’s recent decision to allow utility scale projects of any size to proceed without a licence even when... 

TSAM, Air Products and Sasol team up to showcase potential of locally produced hydrogen as transport fuel

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... 

Export component of SA’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... 

Still no solution

For decades now, the issue of the debt owed by municipalities to Eskom has not only remained an intractable problem but one that has grown in both scale and in its potential to create financial... 

Systems in place for recoding of 6.8m prepaid meters ahead of Nov 2024 deadline – Eskom

Eskom insists its systems and strategies are in place to facilitate the seamless operation of the 6.8-million prepaid meters within its distribution areas after November 24 next year – the date by... 

Cabinet approves Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy

Cabinet has approved the Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy (GHCS) for implementation, with the goal of positioning South Africa as a major producer and exporter of green hydrogen.... 

Unlocking grid immediately through curtailment a priority, Cassim confirms

Eskom interim CEO Calib Cassim has described unlocking grid connection capacity, using curtailment, as an urgent priority while Eskom and other stakeholders assess funding options to expand the... 

UK pledges R20m to identify bankable African critical minerals processing prospects

The UK will make R20-million in funding available to help identify the most bankable opportunities for African countries to attract investment into the processing of critical minerals. Boston... 

Ramaphosa says loadshedding corner has been turned as another Kusile unit restarts

African National Congress President Cyril Ramaphosa claims that South Africa “has turned a definite corner as far as loadshedding is concerned”, adding that the levels and frequency of loadshedding... 

Invest in grids today or face gridlock tomorrow, IEA warns

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is warning that investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure is failing to keep pace with renewables projects, and is leading to a large and... 

Three coastal provinces move to partner on green hydrogen ahead of finalisation of country strategy

The Eastern, Northern and Western Cape provinces have agreed to team up in a bid to position South Africa as a global hub for the production of green hydrogen and derivative products, as well as to... 

Municipalities approved so far for Eskom debt relief owe a combined R26.69bn

The National Treasury has confirmed that the collective debt owed to Eskom by the 28 municipalities approved for participation under the Eskom Municipal Debt Relief Support Programme represents... 

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... 

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

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... 

Why export?

When the topic of green hydrogen arises in South Africa, two concerns are commonly raised, and these will remain significant issues to address should South Africa eventually begin to develop the... 

Municipal credit risk poses big challenge as Eskom gears up to implement virtual wheeling

The credit risk associated with municipalities in arrears to Eskom poses a challenge to the roll-out of the utility’s proposed virtual wheeling platform and is also likely to limit the ability of... 

Study under way into producing green direct reduced iron at mothballed Saldanha Works

Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) is moving ahead with a study into the production of green hydrogen directly reduced iron (gHDRI) at its mothballed Saldanha Steel Works, in the... 

Only 28 of the 136 munis owing Eskom R58bn-plus approved to participate in write-off scheme

Only 28 municipalities have to date been given approval by the National Treasury to participate in the Eskom Municipal Debt Relief Support Programme, which was announced in the February Budget as... 

Kusile Unit 3 supplying 720 MW to grid, Eskom confirms

Eskom has confirmed that Unit 3 at the Kusile coal-fired power station is currently providing 720 MW into the electricity grid using a temporary flue that bypasses the flue-gas desulphurisation... 

‘Instrument’ being studied to open rooftop solar to poorer households

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says that work is under way on the creation of an “instrument” that will allow poorer households to participate in the ongoing roll-out of rooftop solar...