Eskom Transmission head says policy, legislative and regulatory changes needed to facilitate …

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 the ITSO is seen as key to levelling the playing field between Eskom power stations and independent power producers (IPPs) and had, thus, been identified as a priority by the Department of Public Enterprises in its ‘Roadmap for Eskom in a Reformed Electricity Supply Industry’, published in November.
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ARB says financial year ‘will be well remembered’ for Covid-19, other challenges

JSE-listed investment and property holding company ARB Holdings says sluggish economic growth and the collapse in business confidence became a “secondary concern” this year, as regulations and national lockdown restrictions were implemented to halt the spread of Covid-19. ARB owns investments in related trading and distribution businesses, including 74% of ARB Electrical Wholesalers and 60% of Eurolux.
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Congo hydrogen plant being considered by European turbine maker

German turbine makers and natural gas companies are exploring producing green hydrogen in the Democratic Republic of Congo, home to what could become the world’s largest hydropower complex. Should the project go ahead Congo would join Morocco as a potential site for hydrogen production in Africa. The North African country this year signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany over potential production of the clean fuel. Green hydrogen is made using renewable energy.
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Africa’s most-industrialised economy will probably shrink by 8%

Slow reforms and the return of rolling power cuts in South Africa could threaten the recovery of an economy that probably bottomed in the second quarter. Africa’s most-industrialized economy will probably shrink by 8% in 2020, according to the median estimate of 29 economists in a Bloomberg survey that was published on Friday. That’s worse than the 7.5% contraction projected a month ago.
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Global wind body urges South Africa to explore ‘excellent’ offshore wind potential

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) says that, while South Africa has strong onshore wind potential, it would nevertheless encourage domestic policymakers to begin creating the framework for an offshore wind industry given the country’s “excellent” offshore wind-energy potential. The World Bank Group’s 2019 ‘Going Global Report’, which assessed the technical potential for offshore wind-energy within 200 km of the coasts of eight developing countries, estimated South Africa’s technical offshore potential to be 646 GW.
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Increased storage crucial to mix

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.
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Noncarbon future epitomises ideal energy mix

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.
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Clean coal can still play meaningful role in S Africa

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).
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CFBC boiler technology viable for S Africa

The global success of circulating fluidised bed combustion (CFBC) boiler technology, suggests that this should be the technology of choice for the future in State-owned power utility Eskom’s power stations.
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Microgrid solutions could combat load-shedding

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.
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