Numsa, NUM says Eskom fails to ‘engage meaningfully’ in wage negotiations

Labour unions the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on May 20 said State-owned power utility Eskom’s management team had refused to “engage meaningfully” in ongoing wage negotiations. In a joint statement, the unions said Eskom was attempting to “frustrate” the process.
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Energy efficiency financing must be scaled up to unlock opportunities

There is considerable opportunity and potential to be unlocked in energy efficiency projects in South Africa, but more needs to be done with regard to financial solutions to catalyse a take up of opportunities, speakers said during a webinar hosted by industry organisation the South African Energy Efficiency Confederation on May 20. Carbon Trust Southern Africa head Benjamin Curnier said the organisation was working with the South African National Energy Development Institute and the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy, along with the World Bank, to see what kind of financial interventions could be deployed in the market to drive energy efficiency.
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New research shows South Africa well-placed to export ‘green iron’ to EU

Initial research conducted for the Deep Decarbonisation Pathways (DDP) project in collaboration with the National Business Initiative (NBI) indicates that there is an emerging opportunity for South Africa to produce so-called “green iron” for export to international steelmakers seeking to transition away from the use of carbon-intensive coking coal in the production of the basic material. The green-iron research forms part of a broader initiative, involving NBI, Business Unity South Africa and the Boston Consulting Group, to develop decarbonisation pathways for domestic industry that could also support the country’s proposed “just transition” to a more climate-resilient economy.
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Shoprite to expand solar-powered refrigeration fleet by 39 trucks

The Shoprite Group will, by the end of June, have added 39 solar-powered refrigerated rigid trucks to its existing solar-powered fleet of 749 trailers, says group sustainability manager Sanjeev Raghubir. “It’s the first time we are adding solar-power nitrogen refrigerated rigid trucks to our fleet. It is also a first for Africa.”
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Judge to rule after South Africa sued over Sasol, Eskom pollution

A judge is set to rule after the first ever case filed against the government over its alleged failure to crack down on air pollution emitted by power plants operated by Eskom Holdings and refineries owned by Sasol. The case was filed in the Pretoria High Court by groundWork, an environmental-rights organization, and the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action in 2019 and was heard by Judge Colleen Collis this week. The respondents in the case include President Cyril Ramaphosa, Environment Minister Barbara Creecy and provincial officials.
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Africa’s Financial capital sets 35% renewable energy target

Johannesburg, Africa’s dominant financial center, wants to meet 35% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030 and will seek proposals for privately supplied power by August. South Africa’s biggest city, with a population of over 5 million people, is looking for its own power suppliers after the government last year said municipalities could buy electricity from companies other than state power utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.
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