FNB cuts the carbon footprint of its branches by 50% over five years

After the adoption of carbon-cutting measures to drive energy efficiency across a network of more than 600 branches in South Africa, financial services provider First National Bank (FNB) FNB has reduced the carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint in its branches by nearly 50% over a period of five years.

FNB’s energy efficiency measures include, but are not limited to, fitting light-emitting diode (LED) lighting in new branches and retrofitting existing branches with LED lighting to enable a substantial reduction in electricity consumption.

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IFC confirms $225m green-economy loan to FirstRand

The World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) has extended a $225-million loan to South Africa’s FirstRand Bank, which will deploy the finance in support of “energy-efficient and water-smart projects” in South Africa. The loan includes a $75-million contribution from the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank FMO, which funds sustainable private sector growth in developing countries and emerging markets.
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Juwi completes first of three awarded solar projects

Juwi Renewable Energies has announced that the Droogfontein 2 Solar Park, near Kimberley, has reached full grid code compliance and started commercial operations.

The 179 ha area, which comprises 260 000 solar panels on a single-axis tracker system, is supplying 75 MW to the national grid.

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Opinion: Can the private sector deliver government’s proposed infrastructure plan?

In this opinion article, Vantage GreenX MD Alastair Campbell, who spent 25 years as an investment banker and who manages the R5-billion GreenX Debt Funds, says the renewables programme has proved that the private sector will invest in South African infrastructure once policy certainty is established.
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Zambezi River Authority gears up for community consultations on proposed 2 400 MW Batoka Gorge …

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) is preparing to conduct disclosure meetings with communities in Zambia and Zimbabwe whose land or livelihoods could be affected by the construction of the proposed 2 400 MW Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme (BGHES), a transboundary project located 47-km downstream of the Victoria Falls. Jointly owned by the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, the ZRA operates and maintains the Kariba Dam Complex and is responsible for investigating and developing new dam sites on the Zambezi River.
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SA’s Eskom resumes rolling blackouts after generation units break down once more

South African utility Eskom said on Tuesday it would be forced to resume rotational power cuts from midday to 10 pm due to breakdowns in its generating units which slashed power supply. “Eskom regrets to inform the public that due to a severely constrained generation system as a result of multiple unit breakdowns, it has become necessary to implement stage 2 load-shedding,” the State-owned company said, warning this was likely to persist for the rest of the week.
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Eskom resumes rolling blackouts after generation units break down once more

South African utility Eskom said on Tuesday it would be forced to resume rotational power cuts from midday to 22:00 due to breakdowns in its generating units which slashed power supply. “Eskom regrets to inform the public that due to a severely constrained generation system as a result of multiple unit breakdowns, it has become necessary to implement stage 2 load shedding,” the state-owned company said, warning this was likely to persist for the rest of the week.
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Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems undergoes rebrand

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, a major subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group (MHI Group), has officially changed its corporate name to Mitsubishi Power.

The company says the rebrand marks the start of a new chapter in its mission to grow as an energy solutions provider and help solve the foremost energy challenges of our time, which includes decarbonising energy and bringing reliable power to people all over the world.

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