Research shows significant potential for South Africa to develop offshore wind energy resources

A study of South Africa’s offshore wind energy resources by researchers from the Stellenbosch University Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering indicates that wind turbines installed at different depths off the KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape coasts could potentially supply about 15% and 800%, respectively, of South Africa’s yearly electricity demand. The study by Stellenbosch University Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering researchers Gordon Rae and Dr Gareth Erfort was published in the Journal of Energy in Southern Africa. It is a comprehensive first assessment of South Africa’s offshore wind energy resources and was aimed at identifying the most suitable regions for the development of wind farms.
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Government sees new renewables zones helping to unlock low-carbon energy mix

Three additional geographic areas – Emalahleni, Klerksdorp and Beaufort West – have officially been declared as Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZs) following the publication of a Government Gazette notice signed by Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy. The new zones increase to 11 the number of declared REDZs, with eight zones having previously been proclaimed in Overberg, Komsberg, Cookhouse, Stormberg, Kimberley, Vryberg, Upington and Springbok.
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Eskom to implement Stage 2 load-shedding from 17:00; cuts to continue until Friday night

Power utility Eskom says it will implement Stage 2 load-shedding from 17:00 on Wednesday until 23:00 on Friday as the generation capacity is severely constrained. “There is a probability that load-shedding may be implemented at short notice should any further breakdowns occur before then,” it warns.
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Eskom, Sasol face government ultimatum to meet emission limits

Eskom Holdings and Sasol, South Africa’s two biggest polluters, must comply with emission limits even if it costs them tens of billions of rand, Environment Minister Barbara Creecy said. The companies, which use coal to produce electricity and gasoline respectively, have sought to avoid installing so-called flue-gas desulfurization, or FGD, units at their facilities to reduce sulfur dioxide pollution because of their cost.
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National strategy seen as key first step for countries keen to tap green-hydrogen potential

The publication of a national hydrogen strategy has been identified by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) as the crucial first pillar in an evolving four-pillar policymaking toolbox for countries that are either planning to export or import green hydrogen as part of their multi-pronged decarbonisation efforts. In fact, Irena knowledge and policy specialist Emanuele Bianco argued during a webinar on Tuesday that such a strategy was required not only to define a country’s level of ambition for green hydrogen, but also to outline the amount of support required and provide a reference on hydrogen’s development for private investment and finance.
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