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Forum set up to improve cooperation between Eskom, Transnet and domestic industrialists

By: Terence Creamer 20th May 2022 A new forum comprising Eskom, Transnet and domestic industrialists is to be established to improve collaboration between the two large infrastructure-focused State-owned companies and domestic manufacturers and suppliers. The initiative was unveiled by Ministers Pravin Gordhan and Ebrahim Patel... →

Medupi units 1 to 3 at full load, Eskom to bring damaged unit 4 online in August 2024

By: Schalk Burger 20th May 2022 State-owned power utility Eskom this week revealed that it had implemented repairs and fixes to generation Units 1 to 3 at the Medupi power station, and that the units are operating at full load, producing 720 MW of electricity each. Unit 4, which was damaged in a generator explosion, after... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Schalk Burger
The Medupi power station

Gordhan reports yet another sabotage incident at Hendrina power station

By: Terence Creamer 20th May 2022 A day after Eskom confirmed incidents of sabotage at its Tutuka power station, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan alleged that another incident of sabotage had taken place at the Hendrina power station. The Hendrina incident raises to six the number of incidents of suspected sabotage that... →

Photo by Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan

Stage 2 load-shedding in the evenings all weekend – Eskom

By: News24Wire 20th May 2022 Eskom says a shortage of generation capacity has persisted, and Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 17:00 to 22:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. "As previously communicated, due to the continued shortage of generation capacity Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 17:00... →

Is the steel master plan delivering?

By: Creamer Media Reporter 20th May 2022 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about whether the steel master plan is delivering; the lack of demand that is negatively impacting on the industry and how localisation could help to boost demand; and the electricity supply and rail and port... →

Is the steel master plan delivering?

Rich nations offer debt guarantees on South African climate deal

By: Bloomberg 20th May 2022 A group of the world’s richest nations offered South Africa debt guarantees as part of a proposed $8.5-billion deal designed to cut the nation’s reliance on coal for power generation, people familiar with the talks said, potentially resolving one sticking point in the negotiations. The guarantees... →

Eskom confirms sabotage incidents at Tutuka

By: Creamer Media Reporter 19th May 2022 Power utility Eskom on May 19 confirmed an incident in which a cable was severed at the Tutuka power station this week while the power station was finalising preparations to return Unit 5 to service. "The damage to the cable had the effect of delaying the unit’s return to service by three days,... →

Sanral cancels R17.5bn in tenders, citing ‘material irregularities’

By: Irma Venter 18th May 2022 The board of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has cancelled tenders to the value of R17.47-billion, citing “material irregularities”. The tenders which the Sanral board did not approve are the Mtentu Bridge Wild Coast project, on the N2, valued at R3.4-billion; the... →

Image of the proposed Mtentu bridge on the N2 Wild Coast project

Ramaphosa tables fourth part of Zondo report, Parliament to start working on published parts

By: News24Wire 18th May 2022 President Cyril Ramaphosa tabled the fourth part of the State Capture Inquiry's report with Parliament on Tuesday - and, in a turnaround from the African National Congress's previous stance, affected committees will deal with the published parts of the report. "Parliament confirms receipt of Part... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Eskom compiling ‘consolidated proposal’ for ending load-shedding crisis

By: Terence Creamer 17th May 2022 Eskom CEO André de Ruyter has revealed that the utility is compiling a “consolidated proposal” on how to end the ongoing electricity crisis, including how to introduce much-needed new generation capacity in the shortest possible time. The State-owned utility estimates the current shortfall to be... →

Photo by Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
Eskom CEO André de Ruyter

Stage 3 load-shedding planned for Tuesday night, for now

By: News24Wire 17th May 2022 South Africa is still currently on track for Stage 3 load-shedding between 17:00 and 22:00 on Tuesday as a lack of capacity has left the country with evening power cuts for the rest of the week. Eskom had initially said there would Stage 3 load-shedding on Monday night as well, but had to... →

Emissions reduction tech at Kusile contributes to move to Stage 4 load-shedding

By: Darren Parker 16th May 2022 State-owned utility Eskom was forced to implement Stage 4 load-shedding on the evening of May 16 after Unit 2 at the Kusile power station tripped, Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said. The tripped Kusile unit removed 720 MW of generating capacity from the already constrained grid. →

Kusile

Load-shedding escalated to Stage 4 on Monday

By: News24Wire 16th May 2022 Load-shedding will be escalated to Stage 4 on Monday afternoon, Eskom announced. This is owing to a unit at Kusile power station tripping earlier on Monday, taking 720MW of generating capacity with it, Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said. "While this unit has since returned to... →

Eskom doesn't expect any unlawful strikes as wage saga kicks into gear

By: News24Wire 16th May 2022 Eskom does not anticipate any unlawful strikes or disruptions at its operations while a wage dispute with unions is being dealt with, according to its CEO, André de Ruyter. De Ruyter was briefing reporters on Monday morning about the jump to Stage 3 load-shedding for Monday and Tuesday evening.... →

Photo by Donna Slater
Eskom CEO André de Ruyter

Newly rebranded DFI launches in Kenya

By: Darren Parker 13th May 2022 The newly rebranded UK government’s development finance institution (DFI) British International Investment (BII) was launched on May 12 at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Nairobi, Kenya – one of the DFI’s most important markets. The event was attended by BII CEO Nick O’Donohoe and... →

SARS inches closer to strike as PSA puts tax body on notice

By: News24Wire 13th May 2022 The Public Servants' Association has put the South African Revenue Service on notice that it intends to go on strike after it reached a deadlock with the tax body during wage negotiations. If the deadlock at the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration is not broken ahead of time,... →

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter

Relaxation of PFMA rules empowers Eskom to engage directly with OEMs, maintenance suppliers

By: Terence Creamer 13th May 2022 State-owned utility Eskom says the National Treasury’s relaxation of some procurement and supply chain management rules and processes contained in the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) will assist it in speeding up critical and urgent procurement. The amendment, which is outlined in an... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Eskom CEO André de Ruyter

Stage 2 load-shedding on Friday night as over 16 000 MW lost to breakdowns

By: News24Wire 13th May 2022 Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented for the fifth time this week, running from 17:00 to 22:00 on Friday, Eskom said in a statement. Several generating units are expected to return to service starting on Friday afternoon and through the weekend, however. "Eskom will continue to closely... →

Project launched to fast-track energy, water transition

By: Halima Frost 13th May 2022 The South African Industry Adaption (SAIA) project was launched last month to accelerate South African industry’s energy and water transition to a decarbonised, green and inclusive economy, as well as a vibrant job market. SAIA is a collaboration between the governments of South Africa and... →

A photo of Lee-Hendor Ruiters speaking at teh launch of the The South African Industry Adaption (SAIA) project which was launched last month to accelerate South African industry’s energy and water transition a collaboration between the governments of South Africa and Flanders, in Belgium, and the United Nations Industrial Development Corporation

LEE-HENDOR RUITERSThe South African Industry Adaption (SAIA) project was launched last month to accelerate South African industry’s energy and water transition

South Africa sets plans to cash in on revived national carrier

By: Bloomberg 12th May 2022 South Africa’s government has retained special voting rights in the country’s national carrier even after selling a majority stake, and will be given R3-billion in preference shares that can be redeemed through future cashflow. That means the state stands to benefit should new owner, the Takatso... →

Takatso welcomes Treasury’s support for SAA deal

By: Schalk Burger 12th May 2022 The Takatso Consortium on May 12 said it welcomed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s public support for its acquisition of a 51% interest in South African Airways (SAA), signalling a firm commitment from government to conclude the transaction. Takatso would inject R3-billion into the airline... →

DA wants State of Disaster declared on Eskom

By: Sane Dhlamini 12th May 2022 Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises Ghaleb Cachalia on Thursday called for a State of Disaster to be declared on power utility Eskom following a heavy run of load-shedding this year. The DA has also written to Presidency Director-General Phindile Baleni requesting a State of... →

DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises Ghaleb Cachalia

Eskom sets August 2024 target date for return of damaged Medupi 4

By: Terence Creamer 12th May 2022 Electricity utility Eskom has set a target date of August 2024 for the return to service of Medupi Unit 4, the generator of which was “catastrophically” damaged during an explosion on August 8, 2021. Acting generation MD Rhulani Mathebula, who has stepped into the role following the resignation... →

Photo by Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
Eskom acting generation MD Rhulani Mathebula

Department of Public Enterprises outlines priorities for current financial year

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 11th May 2022 The Department of Public Enterprises on May 12 outlined its Strategic Plan 2020 to 2050 and Annual Performance Plan for 2022/23, and presented this to the Portfolio Committee during a virtual briefing. The department oversees core strategic State-owned companies (SOC). →

Eskom confirms winter load-shedding risk and warns on diesel costs

By: Terence Creamer 11th May 2022 Electricity utility Eskom has again highlighted the risk of load-shedding during the current winter period, during which it will rely heavily on the country’s expensive diesel-fuelled open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) to either avoid rotational cuts or reduce the intensity of such cuts.... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Eskom transmission MD Segomoco Scheppers

Stage 2 load-shedding to be implemented from 17:00 to 22:00

By: Reuters 11th May 2022 State power utility Eskom said it would implement Stage 2 rotational power cuts from 17:00 to 22:00 on Wednesday due to the failure of three generation units. This would be the third day that Eskom has implemented load-shedding from 17:00 to 22:00. →

Airline sale for R51 keeps it a financial burden for South Africa

By: Bloomberg 11th May 2022 South Africa’s decision to sell a majority stake in the country’s loss-making national airline for R51 represents an ongoing financial risk to the state as the terms were skewed heavily toward the buyer, the National Treasury said. The finer print of the deal that saw the Takatso Consortium take... →

SAA remains a financial burden for South Africa, Treasury warns

By: Bloomberg 10th May 2022 South Africa’s decision to sell a majority stake in the country’s loss-making national airline represents an ongoing financial risk to the state as the terms were skewed heavily toward the buyer, the National Treasury said. The finer print of the deal that saw the Takatso Consortium take a 51%... →

Stats SA given R2.8bn for current financial year

By: Donna Slater 10th May 2022 Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele reports that through the 2022/2023 budget vote for Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the entity will, over the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF), be given R2.8-billion in the 2022/23 financial year; R2.6-billion in 2023/24 and R2.8-billion in... →

Stage 2 load-shedding planned for Tuesday evening – with a risk of worse during the day

By: News24Wire 10th May 2022 Stage 2 load-shedding will again be implemented from 17:00 to 22:00 on Tuesday night, Eskom announced on Tuesday morning. In addition, there is a possibility of higher load-shedding stages should any breakdowns occur during the day on Tuesday. →

Stage 2 load-shedding kicks in on Monday evening, says Eskom

By: News24Wire 9th May 2022 Stage 2 load-shedding will "regretfully" be implemented from 17:00 until 22:00 on Monday evening, Eskom said in a statement. The previous bout of load-shedding was suspended just two days previously, on Saturday. Earlier, Eskom said the power system had recovered sufficiently to meet the demand... →

Eskom appoints Mathebula as acting generation exec as Dukashe resigns

By: Darren Parker 9th May 2022 State-owned utility Eskom has announced the resignation of generation group executive Phillip Dukashe, whose last day will be on May 31 after having served 26 years in the company. In his resignation letter and discussions with Eskom executives, Dukashe cited the critical need to achieve a... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Outgoing Eskom generation group executive Phillip Dukashe

Eskom warns of load-shedding at short notice on Monday evening

By: News24Wire 9th May 2022 The power system will be severely constrained on Monday evening, with the possibility of load-shedding at short notice should there be any unit breakdowns, Eskom warned on Monday. load-shedding was suspended on Saturday, and the power system has recovered sufficiently to meet the demand during... →

ECSA elects its first female president

By: Darren Parker 6th May 2022 The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) elected its first female president Refilwe Buthelezi following the sixth term council special meeting on May 5. ECSA has not had a female president since its inception, with ECSA stating on May 6 that the election of Buthelezi in the engineering and... →

Gordhan: Load-shedding 'might' move to Stage 1 – but Eskom sticks to status quo

By: News24Wire 6th May 2022 Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Friday said that Eskom may downgrade load-shedding to Stage 1. The minister was delivering an address at the Just Transition Framework Multi-Stakeholder Conference. The two-day conference, which started on Thursday, is taking place in Gauteng and is... →

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan

Nersa to hold public hearings on municipal tariff benchmarks in May

By: Darren Parker 6th May 2022 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) will approve its yearly percentage guideline increase and review municipal tariff benchmarks at a public hearing on May 13. This follows the publication of a consultation paper on March 30 on the review of the municipal tariff guideline... →

Opinion: Sasolburg power station turnaround offers hope for keeping lights on

6th May 2022 In this opinion article, Sasol senior VP for the Sasolburg & Ekandustria operations Rightwell Laxa, and Sebenzana MD Andrew Carr, argue that old, coal-fired power stations similar to those used by Sasol and Eskom could achieve a much-needed maintenance turnaround by blending dwindling engineering... →

Photo by Supplied: Sasol
Parts of the power generation fleet have been in operation for close to 70 years

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