Renewables display Covid immunity with record 2020 and strong outlook

New additions of renewable-energy capacity worldwide will increase to a record level of almost 200 GW this year, shrugging off the demand slump that accompanied the Covid-19 crisis and which negatively affected the demand for fossil fuels. In addition, a new International Energy Agency (IEA) report points to an even stronger growth trajectory for the coming five years, underpinned by ongoing cost reductions and sustained policy support. The IEA, critics caution, has historically underestimated the growth of renewables and overestimated the role of fossil fuels and nuclear.
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Nersa to consider nuclear-determination consultation request at upcoming meeting

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) electricity subcommittee (ELS) will consider a request for consultation on concurrence with a Section 34 Ministerial determination for the procurement of 2 500 MW of nuclear capacity when it meets on Wednesday November 11. Fulltime member of the regulator for electricity regulation Nhlanhla Gumede tells Engineering News that the ELS “will be considering the request [from Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe] for consultation on the Section 34 determination for the nuclear build programme”.
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Rolls-Royce signs second small modular nuclear reactor memorandum in two days

Rolls-Royce, the UK-based global industrial technology group, announced on Monday that it has signed its second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in two days. This second MoU is with predominantly State-owned Czech electricity utility CEZ, which is one of the ten largest energy companies in Europe and has operations in six European countries in addition to the Czech Republic. Rolls-Royce is leading an industry consortium (known as UKSMR), backed by the British government, to develop SMR nuclear power plants (NPPs), to be built for the UK itself and for export. The aim is to use advanced manufacturing techniques to produce the modules (which will make up the NPP) in factories and assemble them on site, within weatherproof canopies, all of which will serve to reduce costs.
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Long-term operations, maintenance contract awarded for Kuvaninga power plant

Power plant services provider ADC Projects and Austrian energy engineering company ECI-Distribution have jointly been awarded the long-term operations and preventive and corrective maintenance contract for the Kuvaninga Energia power plant, in Mozambique. The plant is operated and maintained by ADC Projects.
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Eskom Political Task Team remains concerned about debt owed to the utility

The Eskom Political Task Team has agreed that all avenues should be explored to deal with the utility’s debt challenge, including dealing with the underlying causes; for example inefficiencies, cost overruns, misappropriation of funds, cash losses due to unpaid debt by municipalities and other entities, as well as tariff determinations from the regulator to allow the utility to recover relevant costs. During a meeting convened and chaired by Deputy President David Mabuza on November 6, a progress report was received on the debt owed by municipalities to Eskom.
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South Africa aims to nail down R664bn in investment pledges at Nov gathering amid Covid-19 …

The third yearly South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC), which will take place on November 17 and 18, will focus primarily on ensuring the investment pledges of R664-billion made in 2018 and 2019 are not derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Government also intends using the platform to highlighting post-pandemic investment opportunities that could arise as a result of South Africa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, as well the implementation of  the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
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UK and US groups partner on small modular nuclear reactors

UK-based global major industrial technology group Rolls-Royce and giant US private-sector electricity utility Exelon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the development and operation of small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power plants (NPPs). Rolls-Royce is leading a consortium, supported by both industry and the British government, to develop an SMR NPP (being referred to as the UKSMR). Exelon currently operates 21 conventional (pressurised water) nuclear reactors in the …
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Just transition away from coal lies in diversified municipal economies, says TIPS

During a Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) Development Dialogue webinar hosted recently, experts agreed that the brunt of a transition away from coal would be borne by vulnerable stakeholders and that it had to be mitigated. The webinar explored ground-level impacts associated with a just transition away from coal to renewable energy and was part of a series of conversations that TIPS has undertaken to review the transition’s impact on vulnerable stakeholders.
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Eskom’s losses, tariffs back in the spotlight

Creamer Media’s Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Creamer Media Editor Terence Creamer about power utility Eskom’s unsustainable debt position and financial loss and the tariff increases it is seeking.
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Bearing isolators faring well in bearings sector

Bearings distributor BMG tells Engineering News that its Garlock Klozure and Guardian Bearing Isolators have fared notably well subsequent to being introduction to the BMG range of isolators. A bearing isolator is an advanced sealing solution that is used to protect bearings on rotating equipment in harsh environments, such as pumps, gearboxes, electric motors, split pillow blocks, and even steam turbines.
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