Economy | State Companies

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Advertise on this page? Click Here to Learn More

State Companies News

Transnet signals intent to support domestic manufacture of rail despite global tender

By: Terence Creamer 24th August 2020 State-owned freight logistics group Transnet has signalled its intention to support the localisation of rail manufacture, but is simultaneously proceeding with a global tender for the supply of 60 kg a metre of head hardened rail, which it describes as an interim solution for meeting its... →

Public Enterprises department reports unsolicited investor interest in SAA

By: Rebecca Campbell 24th August 2020 The Department of Public Enterprises reported on Monday that the South African government had, by the start of this month, received more than ten unsolicited offers of interest in South African Airways and its subsidiaries. SAA is the State-owned national flag carrier, and its subsidiaries are... →

Eskom Transmission head says policy, legislative and regulatory changes needed to facilitate unit’s full independence

By: Terence Creamer 21st August 2020 The head of Eskom’s Transmission division has outlined some of the progress being made to establish an Independent Transmission System Operator (ITSO) but has also warned that full separation will take time and will also require major policy, legislative and regulatory changes. The creation of... →

Eskom Transmission CEO Segomoco Scheppers on the progress being made in setting up an Independent Transmission System Operator and the gaps that remain. Camera Work: Kutlwano Matala. Editing: Nicholas Boyd.

Increased storage crucial to mix

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st August 2020 With South Africa aiming to move towards more diversified energy generation systems as outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IRP 2019), it is crucial to increase the country’s energy-storage capacities, says solar industry supplier Valsa Trading. →

A DECADE IN Valsa Trading has been in the photovoltaic solar industry in South Africa for more than ten years

Noncarbon future epitomises ideal energy mix

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st August 2020 In about 2060, the ideal energy mix would be one with only non-carbon sources, such as wind, solar, pumped hydro and hydrogen, says global energy advisory UL. →

JAMES TRUDEAU It is “very critical” that Eskom increases its energy storage capacities to support a more diversified energy portfolio

Divisionalisation first step in vertical separation

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st August 2020 State-owned power utility Eskom says divisionalisation is but the “first step” in the vertical separation of the utility into three businesses under Eskom Holdings and that it is aligned with the restructuring roadmap released by the Department of Public Enterprises. →

SLIGHT UNCERTAINTY
The outcomes from the Independent Electricity Management Operator Bill will impact the future of both the supply and demand dynamics of the electricity industry

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
SLIGHT UNCERTAINTY The outcomes from the Independent Electricity Management Operator Bill will impact the future of both the supply and demand dynamics of the electricity industry

Clean coal can still play meaningful role in S Africa

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st August 2020 Coal is relatively cheap and widely available; therefore, if it is used cleanly and efficiently, it can be a vital part of the economic development of South Africa, says the IEA Clean Coal Centre (IEACCC). →

Photo by Creamer Media
GROWTH POINT About 18 000 jobs were created during the peak of construction at Eskom’s Medupi power plant

Microgrid solutions could combat load-shedding

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st August 2020 Microgrid solutions with battery energy storage systems are ideal to ensure stable and sustainable power by harnessing solar and other renewable energy resources, says technology solutions provider Hitachi ABB Power Grids. →

GREEN ENERGY SOLUTIONS Hitachi ABB’s intelligent solutions for a more dynamic grid will also contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 of affordable, reliable and clean energy

Eskom fully supports South Africa’s lower-carbon trajectory

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st August 2020 The Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IRP 2019) signals an important move to a range of fuel options for power generation in South Africa, which State-owned power utility Eskom supports. →

PHASING IN THE GREEN Eskom proposes to continue adopting a phased and prioritised approach to achieve compliance to the Minimum Emission Standards regarding particulate matter

South Africa starts talks with potential buyers of State airline

By: Bloomberg 20th August 2020 South Africa’s government has started talks with private entities interested in buying into the country’s insolvent national carrier, which needs at least R10-billion rand to resume operations. A team from the Department of Public Enterprises and advisers from FirstRand Ltd.’s Rand Merchant Bank... →

Changes on the cards at CEF, Necsa

20th August 2020 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about the restructuring and rationalisation plans for the Central Energy Fund group of companies and the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation. →

Changes on the cards at CEF, Necsa (Editing: Nicholas Boyd)

Denel made R1.7bn annual loss, ministry says

By: Reuters 19th August 2020 South Africa's state defence firm Denel made a R1.7-billion loss in the 2019/20 financial year, the ministry that oversees the company said on Wednesday. Denel, which makes equipment from armoured vehicles to missiles for the South African armed forces and clients around the world, is suffering a... →

Eskom replaces energy chief

By: Bloomberg 19th August 2020 Eskom Holdings, South Africa’s monopoly power utility, shuffled some senior managers weeks after missing its own target for restricting power outages. Bheki Nxumalo has moved from his position as head of generation to the post of a group executive overseeing new projects and will be replaced by... →

Necsa poised for year-long ‘rationalisation’ as it warns of R331m loss

By: Terence Creamer 18th August 2020 The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) expects to formally initiate a year-long rationalisation of the State-owned enterprise in September, while warning of a likely R331-million loss for the current financial year. Addressing lawmakers on Tuesday chairperson David Nicholls... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Necsa chairperson David Nicholls

OR Tambo International Airport is ready for the resumption of domestic leisure travel

By: Rebecca Campbell 18th August 2020 The management at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) has given the assurance that it is ready and able to handle domestic air passengers, now that the country has moved to Level 2 of the national lockdown, allowing domestic leisure travel. OR Tambo is owned and operated by the... →

Six months set aside for merger of CEF’s oil and gas subsidiaries into ‘Newco’

By: Terence Creamer 18th August 2020 The process of merging the State-owned entities of PetroSA, Igas and the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) into an “integrated national petroleum company” will formally begin on September 1, with six months having been set aside for the creation of a Newco that is “commercially viable”. All three... →

Photo by Creamer Media
The PetroSA GTL refinery in Mossel Bay

Eskom to implement rolling power cuts as generation units break down

By: African News Agency 18th August 2020 South African utility Eskom said on Tuesday it would implement rolling blackouts from 4pm until 10pm, and again the following day, after breakdowns in some generation units left the electricity system severely constrained. In a statement, Eskom said six generators had been returned to service at... →

DPE welcomes investigative unit’s seizure of assets from former Transnet exec

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th August 2020 The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has welcomed the Special Investigative Unit’s (SIU’s) work, which has led to the seizure of assets belonging to one of State-owned Transnet's former executives. The order, made by the Special Tribunal established under the SIU and Tribunals Act, was for... →

Power system severely constrained for this week ahead as return of generation units delayed, says Eskom

By: African News Agency 17th August 2020 Embattled State-owned power utility Eskom has warned that the power system will be severely constrained for the week ahead as the return to service of generation units has been delayed. "Eskom wishes to inform the public that the power system will be severely constrained this coming week due to... →

Airports company assures that its airports are safe despite need for ILS recertification

By: Rebecca Campbell 14th August 2020 State-owned Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) issued a clarification and assurance on Thursday regarding operational safety at their airports. This followed reports that some of their airports had been or would be closed due to the need to recertify their instrument landing systems (ILS).... →

Stage 2 load-shedding to continue, Eskom says

By: African News Agency 14th August 2020 Despite successfully returning four generation units to service, Eskom on Thursday has said this will not stave off load-shedding and has announced that it will continue to implement Stage 2 load-shedding until 10pm on Thursday and between 8am and 10pm on Friday. "This load-shedding has been... →

Risk of load-shedding could worsen

14th August 2020 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Creamer Media Editor Terence Creamer about new analysis published by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research that shows that load-shedding in 2020 has surpassed that of 2019 and, if urgent action is not taken, South Africa is likely to face... →

Risk of load-shedding could worsen

More German experts coming to help reactivate South African industry

By: Rebecca Campbell 14th August 2020 The German embassy in South Africa expects further technical experts from that country to arrive in South Africa, subject to the approval of the South African government. The first contingent of these experts, sent to help reactivate and upgrade German-owned factories and service companies in... →

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... →

SAA business rescue process has four elements, reports Public Enterprises

By: Rebecca Campbell 12th August 2020 The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) on Wednesday assured that it was “working around the clock” to implement the business rescue process for the State-owned national flag carrier South African Airways (SAA). The implementation conditions for the airline’s business rescue plan were met... →

Transnet CEO expects subdued commodity prices to weigh on recovery from Covid

By: Terence Creamer 12th August 2020 Transnet CEO Portia Derby warned on Wednesday that the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa and the rest of Africa was likely to be negatively affected by still-subdued commodity prices and the serious deterioration in public finances across the continent, which had resulted in... →

Transnet CEO Portia Derby

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

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

SACP calls for arrests and recovery of Eskom funds

By: Sane Dhlamini 4th August 2020 The South African Communist Party (SACP) on Tuesday said while it welcomed the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU’s) move to recover funds from former Eskom executives, former board members, members of the Gupta family and their associates, it called for the arrests of all those implicated in... →

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... →

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

Sithole to assume PIC office on August 1

By: Simone Liedtke 31st July 2020 Newly-appointed Public Investment Corporation (PIC) CEO Abel Sithole will assume his duties from August 1. Sithole’s appointment was announced on May 27, following Cabinet approval. →

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... →

Eskom targets Gauteng, KZN for illegal connections and load reduction drive

By: African News Agency 29th July 2020 Power utility Eskom said on Wednesday that it would be embarking on a roadshow to educate the public on issues impacting on the national power grid, such as illegal connections, infrastructure theft, meter tampering and illegal vending. Education on load reduction would also form part of the... →

SAA rescue plan ready bar the funding, say administrators

By: Reuters 28th July 2020 A rescue plan for South African Airways (SAA) is ready and can be implemented once funding for the restructuring is found, the state-owned airline's administrators said on Tuesday. The administrators took over SAA in December after almost a decade of financial losses and published their... →

Power tariff set to rise to 128c/kWh in 2021 after Eskom wins Nersa battle over R69bn equity injection

By: Terence Creamer 28th July 2020 In a scathing judgment made on July 28, the court has declared as illegal the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) decision to deduct a R69-billion equity injection into Eskom from its allowable revenue for the period 2019/20 to 2021/22, but has also instructed that the full... →

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe