Public hearing participant questions Nersa mandate in evolving electricity market

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) was outdated, and regulation changes were needed to bring it in line with current trends, the only respondent to public hearings into gold miner Gold Fields’ application to build a 40 MW solar plant near its mine in Westonaria said on Thursday. Brian Day, of Today Innovation, said at the public hearing that he supported power plant licences, such as the one applied for by Gold Fields. “I fully support the applicant, and anyone else who wants to generate electricity for a private client to be issued with the requisite generation licence by Nersa.”
/by

New group CEO announced for Necsa

The South African Cabinet announced on Friday that, at its Wednesday virtual meeting, it had ratified the appointment of Loyiso Tyabashe as the new group CEO for the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa).

He holds a MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cape Town and started his career as an engineer in the national electricity utility Eskom in 2000.

/by

Sasol’s rights issue and 2.0 transformation programme

Sasol is still mulling over whether or not to proceed with a rights issue to help it deal with its debt burden. Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses this and the ‘Sasol 2.0’ transformation programme.
/by

Genset range equipped with built-in automatic transfer switch panel

In response to market requirements for a stationary quality genset (generator set), power solutions provider HIMOINSA launched the new HS stationary genset range in October.   HIMOINSA Southern Africa business development director Matthew Bell explains that the design of the range resulted in the removal of unnecessary components for a stationary application.
/by

Bigger not always better with gensets – OEM

Bigger is not always better when considering generators (gensets) and standby power, and it is vital that site-specific power requirements and conditions are taken into account during the design phase of these power supply products, says local manufacturer Zest WEG.
/by

Solar project roll-out under way as Ford eyes energy self-sufficiency by 2024

The Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has kicked off a 13.5 MW, R135-million solar-energy project at its Silverton assembly plant, in Pretoria. The project forms part of a larger programme to develop an integrated renewable- energy solution for the facility, with the aim to be entirely green and energy self-sufficient by 2024.
/by