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Six steps proposed for unlocking larger-scale self-gen projects, amid ongoing government resistance

By: Terence Creamer 26th November 2020 Six steps could be taken immediately by the South African government and the energy regulator to unlock more self-generation investment by residential, commercial, industrial, mining and agricultural consumers so as to minimise power shortages and reduce the threat of load-shedding, a newly... →

Capetonian prepares for 7 000 km solo transatlantic row

By: Donna Slater 23rd November 2020 Capetonian Zirk Botha – a former naval combat officer and adventure racer – is preparing final arrangements to depart from Cape Town on a 7 000-km-long solo rowing trip on his boat Ratel across the Atlantic ocean, to Rio de Janeiro. Sponsored by the company he works for – juwi Renewable Energies... →

Zirk Botha practicing on his boat - Ratel

World Bank says ‘flagship’ Eskom battery scheme to open way for private investment in the technology

By: Terence Creamer 19th November 2020 The World Bank reports that Eskom’s large-scale battery energy storage initiative, which will involve the installation of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across up to eight sites, is being treated as a “flagship” initiative by the global development finance institution, which has committed... →

The Skaapvlei site, with the Sere wind farm in the background

More than 60 power firms signal intention to bid into ‘emergency’ scheme – IPP Office

By: Terence Creamer 17th November 2020 South Africa’s Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office reported on Tuesday that more than 60 respondents had signalled their intention, by the October 31 deadline for doing so, to participate in the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP), through which... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
IPP Office CEO Tshifhiwa Bernard Magoro

Eskom moves to finalise just energy transition framework as shutdown of Grootvlei, Komati and Hendrina draws near

By: Terence Creamer 17th November 2020 State-owned power utility Eskom expects to complete its socioeconomic impact studies by the end of March for the planned shutdown of the Grootvlei, Komati and Hendrina power stations, in Mpumalanga, which are the first of ten coal plants scheduled for decommissioning by 2040. The decommissioning... →

Glencore tests market for self-generation solutions at chrome, vanadium operations

By: Terence Creamer 12th November 2020 Mining group Glencore has issued a pre-qualifying tender for companies interested in supplying ‘alternative green’ electricity and storage solutions to its chrome and vanadium operations in South Africa. In the tender notice, Glencore Alloys states that the generation facilities should have a... →

IPP Office extends bid deadline for R40bn risk-mitigation programme

By: Terence Creamer 2nd November 2020 South Africa’s Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office has confirmed an extension to the bid submission deadline, to December 22, for the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP), under which government aims to procure some 2 000 MW of dispatchable generation... →

Eskom moves to appoint advisers to structure 'green' transaction

By: Terence Creamer 22nd October 2020 South Africa’s coal-heavy power utility is moving to appoint financial advisers to assist it in structuring a potential transaction that could unlock discounted ‘green’ funding for the debt-laden State-owned entity in return for it meeting agreed decarbonisation targets. Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter... →

Massive grid investment needed to unlock IRP’s 30GW-by-2030 vision

By: Terence Creamer 20th October 2020 State-owned electricity utility Eskom is warning that a significant and accelerated expansion of South Africa’s grid infrastructure, beyond that catered for by its current R118-billion investment plan to 2030, is required to integrate the 30 GW of mainly wind and solar generators that will have... →

Recognition of LPG benefits in energy mix growing

16th October 2020 For many years, the benefits of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for South Africa “have been largely, frustratingly, moot”, according to a statement from industry association LPG South Africa (LPGSA). The doubt surrounding LPG’s benefits stems from an historically inconsistent and unreliable supply... →

BIG BOY Bidvest Tank Terminal’s large-scale mounded LPG storage facility in Richards Bay was scheduled for completion this year

Natural gas to play important role in the energy future

By: Darren Parker 16th October 2020 Energy solutions company GE expects gas power to play an increasingly important role in the medium- to long-term future of the country’s energy mix as government continues to pursue decarbonisation through balancing the demands between a coal-fired past and a renewables future. GE Gas Power... →

GAS FOR GROWTH The industrialisation ambitions of African nations depend on cleaner energy sources such as renewables and gas

Gap analysis needed to guide gas-to-power industry growth

By: Darren Parker 16th October 2020 With the potential of gas as an alternative energy source in South Africa an encouraging prospect, South African Oil and Gas Alliance (Saoga) CEO Adrian Strydom says the gas-to-power industry needs to conduct an accurate gap analysis, and engage in upskilling and capacity building to ensure that... →

Photo by Adobe
FLOATING GAS South Africa will need to import liquid natural gas for the short-term future, which will serve to stimulate the market

Gas-powered solutions offer lower upfront cost

By: Darren Parker 16th October 2020 In a capital-constrained Covid-19-affected market, gas-fired generators offer the advantage of a relatively low upfront capital cost, compared with coal- or diesel-fired alternatives, says energy solutions company GE Gas Power Sub-Saharan Africa executive Nosizwe Dlengezele. She adds that it is... →

NOSIZWE DLENGEZELE Gas plays an important role in bridging the energy gap to help create a lower-carbon energy future

Energy expert calls for RMIPPPP overhaul to facilitate cheaper, cleaner emergency power

By: Terence Creamer 8th October 2020 Energy expert Clyde Mallinson is calling on government to urgently overhaul its Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP), which he says not only fails to address the country’s immediate electricity needs, but will also lock in dirty and expensive energy for the... →

Clyde Mallinson

BlueNova undertakes 1 MWh battery export to Namibia

By: Marleny Arnoldi 5th October 2020 Energy storage solution company BlueNova Energy has undertaken its first international export of an intelligent Energy Storage System (iESS). The iESS is a containerised energy unit, which will be installed at the Timbila Nature Reserve in Namibia, as the heart of an offgrid solar-powered... →

BlueNova getting ready to load an iESS containerised energy storage solution

Microgrids present ideal platform for wind energy

By: Cameron Mackay 2nd October 2020 Using microgrids offers an ideal platform for renewable-energy sources, such as wind energy, to be used more extensively, says turnkey energy project solutions provider SEM Solutions national sales manager Tiaan Hendriks. Renewable-energy sources, such as wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy,... →

Nersa says Eskom must be buyer of IPP power arising from new determination

By: Terence Creamer 22nd September 2020 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) says that Eskom should remain the buyer of the electricity produced by independent power producers (IPPs) and procured by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) in line with a new Section 34 Ministerial determination for 11 813... →

Renewables body optimistic next bidding round can be ‘expedited’

By: Terence Creamer 16th September 2020 The South African Renewable Energy Council (Sarec) expressed optimism on Wednesday that the long-awaited fifth bid window (BW5) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme could be fast-tracked in light of the energy regulator’s recent concurrence with a Ministerial... →

Maynier urges urgent Gazetting of determination for new power projects

By: Terence Creamer 11th September 2020 The Western Cape government has urged Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe to urgently Gazette the final Section 34 Ministerial determination that would open the way for the procurement of 11 813 MW of new electricity capacity. The call came as government's Political Task Team on... →

Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities Minister David Maynier

Battery metals to boom despite widespread Covid-19 disruption

By: Donna Slater 11th September 2020 Battery metals, which are used in modern energy efficient electrical products, are playing an increasingly important role in climate change mitigation and the shift towards a lower carbon-intensive future. Battery metals, including lithium, vanadium, copper, cobalt, nickel, lead and graphite are... →

Mantashe says Nersa’s concurrence with determination opens way for procurement of 11 813 MW of new power

By: Terence Creamer 10th September 2020 Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe reported on Thursday the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) had provided its concurrence to a Section 34 Ministerial Determination, issued in February, which opened the way for the procurement of 11 813 MW of new electricity... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe

IEA says green hydrogen is ‘ready for big time’ and lists Africa as key production site

By: Terence Creamer 10th September 2020 Africa has been listed, in a new International Energy Agency (IEA) report, as one of the locations that could emerge as dominant in the production of green hydrogen, which the agency says is required to extend the decarbonisation reach of renewable electricity to industries where the direct use... →

IEA executive director Dr Fatih Birol

Locally-produced fuel cells being used by army field hospital

8th September 2020 From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report. Sashnee Moodley: →

Bushveld creates new entity to provide vanadium electrolyte rental option

By: Donna Slater 7th September 2020 Aim-listed integrated primary vanadium producer and energy storage provider Bushveld Minerals, which owns high-grade vanadium assets in South Africa, has formed a special purpose company in partnership with Invinity Energy Systems (Invinity), named Vanadium Electrolyte Rental Limited (VERL).... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Fortune Mojapelo

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

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

Report reveals minigrid benefits for Africa

By: Donna Slater 14th August 2020 Minigrid electricity developer industry association, the Africa Minigrids Developers Association (Amda), on August 13 launched its 'Benchmarking Africa’s Minigrids' report, which finds that minigrids outperform utilities in terms of affordability, with average installed costs of $733 a... →

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.

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

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

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. →

Shift from high- to low-carbon must be systematic and just – Mantashe

By: Terence Creamer 9th July 2020 South Africa’s Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, used the platform created by the International Energy Agency (IEA) Clean Energy Transitions Summit on July 9 to stress that South Africa’s shift from a high-carbon to a low-carbon path needed to be both systematic and just.... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe

Clean energy should be at ‘core’ of Covid-19 stimulus plans – Guterres

By: Terence Creamer 9th July 2020 United Nations secretary-general António Guterres appealed to governments on Thursday to place the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy at the “core” of their Covid-19 economic recovery spending. Guterres also used the platform created by the International Energy Agency (IEA) Clean Energy... →

United Nations secretary-general António Guterres

Eskom to seek authorisation to proceed with repurposing of four coal stations

By: Terence Creamer 7th July 2020 State-owned electricity producer Eskom aims, within the coming months, to seek authorisation from its board and government to initiate a formal bidding process for the repurposing and repowering of the Camden, Komati, Grootvlei and Hendrina coal-fired power stations using lower-carbon generation... →

Nersa to provide concurrence on technology-specific determination this month

By: Terence Creamer 2nd July 2020 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa indicated on Thursday that it intended providing concurrence this month for a Ministerial determination that would open the way for the procurement of new electricity generation capacity in line with allocations contained in the 2019 edition of the... →

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Local Assemblies for Both Rooftop and Large Installations

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