Nersa permitted to grant above 1 MW licences without Ministerial approval

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has been granted permission to process licence applications for self-generation facilities of above 1 MW, even if they are not in compliance with the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IRP 2019).

This approval, which was granted by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, means that prospective applicants are no longer required to obtain Ministerial approval for deviation from the IRP 2019 before applying to Nersa for a licence.

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Nersa to hold public hearings on Eskom’s MYPD 3 RCA applications

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) will hold virtual public hearings on State-owned power utility Eskom’s third Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD3) Regulatory Clearing Account (RCA) Year 2 (2014/15), Year 3 (2015/16) and Year 4 (2016/17) applications, Eskom’s supplementary application and the implementation plan for the liquidation of the 2018/19 RCA balance. The hearings will be held on November 5 on Microsoft Teams.
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Norway’s Nel, Statkraft agree to produce green hydrogen for steelworks

Norwegian hydrogen producer Nel and utility Statkraft have agreed to build a plant to deliver green hydrogen to a steelworks in northern Norway, replacing fossil fuel, the companies said on Friday. A letter of intent signed by the two firms covers the delivery of an alkaline electrolyser plant with 40 MW to 50 MW capacity in the industrial town of Mo i Rana, which will use renewable electricity supplied by Statkraft to generate hydrogen.
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Difficulties heightened during pandemic, company forges ahead

South Africa’s subdued economic growth has been well recorded – even prior to the pandemic, says industrial equipment supplier Verder Pumps South Africa MD Darryl Macdougall.
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Global renewables group expanding into South Africa

International renewable energy development company GreenYellow is expanding its presence into South Africa, and provides not only proven renewable energy systems, but also technical advice and financing to catalyse the adoption of these energy sources by commercial and industrial companies, says GreenYellow South Africa sales director Michael Ilias. The company has signed an energy efficiency contract for 5 stores for a large retailer, and is working on a solar power purchase agreement multibuilding rollout for another large retailer.
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R1bn Richards Bay mounded LPG storage facility commissioned

The R1-billion mounded liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage facility, in Richards Bay, owned by South African independent bulk liquid and gas storage operator Bidvest Tank Terminals and independent LPG specialist and traders Petredec, has been commissioned. The 22 600 t storage facility is the region’s largest pressurised LPG import terminal, guaranteeing year-round availability of LPG to South Africa and neighbouring countries. 
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Technical panel being assembled to support delivery of 62 infrastructure projects

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille reported on Thursday that nearly 1 200 applications were received from professionals willing to serve on the Technical Advisory Panel for South Africa’s Infrastructure Investment Plan. Applications for the panel were advertised in August and the Minister said final appointments would be made this week.
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Kusile Unit 2 reaches full commercial operational status

State-owned power utility Eskom reports that, on October 2, Unit 2 of its six-unit Kusile coal-fired power station in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga ,achieved full commercial operation status.

This means the unit has progressed from its 16-month project testing phase, to officially becoming a part of Eskom’s generation fleet, contributing its nameplate capacity of up to 800 MW to the South African power grid.

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Royal Bafokeng puts muscle behind Distributed Power Africa’s energy agenda

Renewable energy company Distributed Power Africa (DPA) has announced that Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH) will invest $20-million in a newly formed asset company to expand on DPA’s solar energy portfolio in four key markets.

RBH is a long-term African community investment holding company with a legacy of partnering with leading organisations to achieve real broad-based transformation.

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Boland Cellar commissions 473 kW crowdfunded solar installation

Paarl-based wine cellars Boland Cellar and peer-to-peer solar leasing platform Sun Exchange received crowd funding from 1 204 individuals from 85 countries to finance a 473 kW solar project to provide clean electricity for the wine cellar, while also reducing its electricity costs and emissions. The crowdsourced and global approach to solar finance was enabled through Sun Exchange’s innovative online platform.
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