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Rising demand for lithium-ion-powered forklifts anticipated

By: Cameron Mackay Updated 4 hours ago “The demand for lithium-ion-powered forklifts is increasing locally, owing to companies wanting to reap the benefits of energy efficiency and cost effectiveness, as well as in preparation for changing legislation regarding emissions,” says forklift distributor for Masslift Africa national sales... →

The use of recycled plastic used to store electrical energy demonstrated in the US

By: Rebecca Campbell 13th August 2020 Researchers in the US have successfully used recycled plastic to create rapidly-charging energy storage devices. The research team is composed of engineering professors and students at the University of California Riverside (UCR), and they have been working on using sustainable resources –... →

Photo by University of California Riverside
Left to right: Professors Cengiz and Mihri Ozkan.

DMRE calls for engagement over litigation following IPP judgment

By: Terence Creamer 13th August 2020 The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has urged stakeholders in the electricity industry to engage on an ongoing basis to avoid litigation, following a court ruling this week referring a dispute between the Minister and the City of Cape Town over the procurement of electricity from... →

Eskom to resume rolling power cuts due to generation unit breakdowns

By: African News Agency 13th August 2020 South Africa's electricity utility Eskom said on Thursday it would implement rotational powercuts from 8am to 10pm due to an increase in breakdowns of its generation units, warning that the blackouts could continue into the weekend. "The delay of the return to service of two units at Duvha and... →

Despite Covid-induced demand slump, load-shedding surpasses 2019 levels and risk of more cuts rises

By: Terence Creamer 12th August 2020 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) reported on Wednesday that load-shedding during 2020 had already surpassed that of 2019, which had hitherto been the country’s worst-ever year for load-shedding. In addition, it again warned that, absent urgent action, the risk of... →

Eskom again warns of constrained power system

By: Donna Slater 12th August 2020 State-owned power utility Eskom on August 12 reported that the national grid was, once again, severely constrained as the result of seven units being offline for various reasons. The utility noted that five of its units that were due for a return-to-service had been delayed, while a further two... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Eskom's Kusile power station

Cape Town ordered to settle IPP dispute with Minister, but case can be re-enrolled if talks fail

By: Terence Creamer 11th August 2020 The City of Cape Town, which approached the High Court in 2017 for an order allowing it to procure renewable energy from independent power producers (IPPs) without first securing the consent of the Energy Minister, has been directed by the court seek a settlement with the Minister and the... →

SANEDI says cool roofs could combat higher GHG emissions in South Africa

By: Simone Liedtke 7th August 2020 Much progress still needs to be made on the road to a more sustainable world, with South Africa facing hotter and drier summers, and continued high levels of greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions when compared with the rest of Africa, says South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).... →

Aerial view of a 'cool roof'.

South Africa’s women nuclear professionals elect new president

By: Rebecca Campbell 7th August 2020 Local sectoral professional organisation Women in Nuclear South Africa (Winsa) announced on Friday the election of its new president. She is radiation protection professional Tebogo Motlhabane, a scientist with the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI). She replaces Nomathemba... →

DBSA gears up to fill Covid-induced municipal funding gaps

By: Terence Creamer 7th August 2020 Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), which recently disbursed loans worth R4.5-billion to two Gauteng metropolitan councils to support ongoing infrastructure delivery amid coronavirus-induced liquidity constraints, reports that it is gearing up to support several other municipalities to... →

Mohan Vivekanandan

Peaceful use of nuclear tech underscores its value to Africa’s developmental needs

By: Simone Liedtke 7th August 2020 The development and peaceful use of nuclear technology could further underscore its value by helping to meet Africa’s developmental needs, says African Commission on Nuclear Energy (Afcone) executive secretary Messaoud Baaliouamer. He says the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology has... →

SAFCEI encourages govt to reconsider its nuclear ambitions

By: Donna Slater 7th August 2020 According to the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI), the South African government should rather shift its renewed interest in building new nuclear power generation capacity to ethical, equitable and sustainable energy plans. As “South Africa faces another push for... →

Deputy President Mabuza blames struggling municipalities for Eskom woes

By: News24Wire 7th August 2020 Deputy President David Mabuza has blamed the failure of municipalities to pay their debt to Eskom for ongoing service delivery issues. In replies to written questions from the National Council of Provinces submitted on 5 August, Mabuza said municipalities experiencing severe electricity... →

Deputy President David Mabuza

Smart-Farming initiative supports food security

7th August 2020 Engineering solutions company BMG’s Boer Slim and/or Smart-Farming agricultural team works closely with farmers throughout Southern Africa, assisting them with the selection, installation and operation of new electromechanical systems. These projects are designed to improve efficiencies, reduce... →

SMART-FARMING INITIATIVE BMG’s agricultural team works closely with farmers throughout Southern Africa, assisting them with the selection, installation and operation of new electromechanical systems

Pump rentals effective contingency plan to ensure food security

By: Tracy Hancock 7th August 2020 When a pump used for agricultural applications fails, it poses a significant risk to the food production cycle, revenue generation and, ultimately, the food supply chain during a time when South Africa is facing food-security pressure. The local agriculture industry cannot afford to lose crops... →

MEETING MARKET DEMANDS Rand-Air offer diesel-driven pumps for when power is not available at the source that meet the needs of the undersupplied market for high-head pumps

Minerals Council says new exploration strategy could help mining recover from Covid-19 hit

By: Terence Creamer 6th August 2020 Minerals Council South Africa is calling for the urgent development of a comprehensive and competitive greenfield exploration strategy, arguing that a far higher level of exploration is required to help stimulate higher levels of mining investment and job creation and to support the country’s... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Minerals Council South Africa CEO Roger Baxter

Kibo subsidiary acquires 100% interest in Mast Energy

By: Donna Slater 6th August 2020 Multi-asset, Africa-focused, energy company Kibo Energy, through its 100%-owned UK subsidiary Sloane Developments (Sloane), has acquired 100% interest in Mast Energy Developments (MED). As part of the existing deal with MED, Sloane has acquired from St Anderton on Vaal the remaining 40% interest... →

Eskom: Former execs 'conspired' to benefit the Gupta brothers

By: News24Wire 6th August 2020 Former Eskom executives conspired with the Gupta brothers and their business associates for six years to syphon funds from the power utility, a summons revealed. The 73-page summons, filed by Eskom with the Special Investigating Unit, with the North Gauteng High Court on Monday seeks to recover... →

Eskom, Sasol gear up for energy storage and renewables roll-outs

6th August 2020 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Creamer Media Editor Terence Creamer about Eskom's battery energy storage plans and Sasol's renewables roll-out. →

Eskom, Sasol gear up for energy storage and renewables roll-outs

Opinion: Highlights of upcoming code for embedded generation

5th August 2020 In this article, South African Photovoltaic Industry Association board member Frank Spencer offers insight on the upcoming SANS 10142-1 standards for embedded generation installations →

Just Share labels Investec’s climate-risk disclosure report as new benchmark

By: Terence Creamer 5th August 2020 Shareholder activism organisation Just Share has described the ‘Climate Related Financial Disclosures’ report published by Investec in May as having set a new benchmark for South African banks in climate-risk disclosure. The Just Share analysis has been released ahead of Investec’s August 8... →

Covid-19 may have accelerated peak fossil fuel demand ‘by more than a decade’

By: Terence Creamer 5th August 2020 If the world economy fails to recover rapidly from the Covid-19 crisis and if efforts to curb emissions are moderately accelerated, it is possible that global fossil-fuel demand peaked in 2019, a new Boston Consulting Group (BCG) analysis shows. The analysis models the future demand for coal, oil... →

Kenya on course for $5bn nuclear plant to power industry

By: Bloomberg 4th August 2020 Kenya’s nuclear agency submitted impact studies for a $5-billion power plant, and said it’s on course to build and start operating the facility in about seven years. The government plans to expand its nuclear-power capacity fourfold by 2035, the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency said in a report on... →

DPE welcomes Eskom’s move to recoup lost funds

By: Simone Liedtke 4th August 2020 The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has welcomed State-owned power utility Eskom’s steps to recoup funds lost to State capture corruption. Eskom and the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) announced on August 3 that a set of summonses have been issued in the North Gauteng High Court to... →

Sasol sets sights on large-scale renewables procurement as it pulls trigger on embedded generation projects

By: Terence Creamer 4th August 2020 Chemicals and energy group Sasol intends issuing, during its current financial year, a request for proposals (RFP) for wind and solar projects with a combined capacity of between 200 MW and 300 MW having received a strong response to a market-testing request for information (RFI) issued in May.... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Sasol's Secunda complex stands in the background with power lines in the foreground

Eskom initiates procurement process for first large-scale battery energy storage system

By: Terence Creamer 4th August 2020 Electricity utility Eskom has called for bids for the design and construction of a battery energy storage system (BESS) to be installed at the Skaapvlei substation at Vredendal, in the Western Cape, where the group’s 100 MW Sere wind farm is located. The system should have a minimum power... →

The substation at the Sere wind farm in Vredendal

Eskom, SIU issue summonses to recover State capture funds

By: Donna Slater 3rd August 2020 State-owned power utility Eskom and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on August 3 issued summonses in the North Gauteng High Court to recover funds from former Eskom executives, board members and members of the Gupta family and their associates, as well as others. "The funds were lost in a... →

Nedbank inks partnership to enable homeowners to leverage loans to install solar PV

By: Donna Slater 3rd August 2020 Financial services provider Nedbank has partnered with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) through its PV GreenCard accreditation in an effort to increase access to and the affordability of installing renewable energy solutions for homeowners. Through the partnership,... →

Bushveld Minerals advances plans to support VRFB development

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd August 2020 Aim-listed Bushveld Minerals has advanced the acquisition of Austrian group Enerox by acquiring a further 65.1% of the investment vehicle’s share capital through Enerox Holdings Limited (EHL). EHL is a newly incorporated investment vehicle formed by a consortium of investors, including Bushveld... →

Renergen spuds first well as expected

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd August 2020 The drill rig at emerging natural gas and helium producer Renergen’s Virginia gas project production hub, in the Free State, is preparing to spud the first well in the programme. The upcoming programme of inclined wells target the gas productive fracture systems at the project. →

Sasol calls for bids for 10 MW solar plants at Mpumalanga, Free State operations

By: Terence Creamer 3rd August 2020 Chemicals and energy group Sasol has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of two embedded solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities of 10 MW apiece at its operations in Secunda, in Mpumalanga, and Sasolburg, in the Free State. The closing date for submissions is Friday, October 2. →

The Secunda complex

Increasing infrastructure investment would boost South Africa’s potential growth, OECD survey asserts

By: Terence Creamer 31st July 2020 Higher levels of infrastructure investment are needed to increase South Africa’s potential growth, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD’s) latest survey of South Africa asserts. Released on July 31, the report warns that the South African economy could contract by as... →

OECD says tourism sector has big jobs potential, but will need support until the middle of 2021

Eskom to cancel R14bn contract after probe findings

By: Bloomberg 31st July 2020 Eskom Holdings plans to cancel a contract to buy as much as R14-billion of fuel oil from Econ Oil & Energy, after a probe it commissioned found Econ’s fees had been inflated, a person familiar with the situation said. Nothemba Mlonzi, a director at Econ Oil, declined to comment because she said... →

GroundWork approaches court over IRP

By: Marleny Arnoldi 31st July 2020 Environmental organisation GroundWork has launched new court proceedings against the Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). GroundWork stresses that decisions about South Africa’s energy future must be made in a... →

Montego says solar plant investment yielding returns

By: Schalk Burger 31st July 2020 Pet food manufacturer Montego Pet Nutrition's R22-million investment in a dedicated solar energy plant last year is yielding returns. Marketing manager Wilfred Cawood says that, as a result, the company's carbon dioxide emissions have decreased by 300 t to date this year. →

Opinion: Could Eskom be repurposed to become training ground for the energy transition?

By: Tobias Bischof-Niemz 31st July 2020 One of the most common remedies proposed for addressing Eskom’s financial and operational problems is that of reducing jobs at the state-owned utility. The argument is premised on the view that Eskom is massively overstaffed and that its headcount should, thus, be reduced to help lower costs and... →

Seifsa welcomes Nersa's appeal to High Court ruling

By: Marleny Arnoldi 30th July 2020 The Steel and Engineering Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) has welcomed the decision by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to appeal the High Court judgment that set aside Nersa’s decision on Eskom’s fourth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD4) for the 2019/20, 2020/21... →

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