Opinion: Inclusive process now vital to define a collective electricity industry vision

In this opinion article, Energy Intensive User Group CEO Fanele Mondi says that, although reforms allowing for higher levels of own generation will make a significant difference, there is also an urgent need for South Africans to collectively shape the future of the electricity supply industry and to ensure a just energy transition for the benefit of all stakeholders
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IEA report points to growth in global electricity demand this year

The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects global electricity demand to rebound strongly this year and next.

Electricity demand decreased by about 1% in 2020, but is expected to grow by 5% this year and by 4% in 2022, a new IEA report shows.

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Eskom starts forum to strengthen relations with strategic suppliers

To strengthen its relationship with its strategic suppliers, State-owned power utility Eskom has introduced the Strategic Supplier Engagement Forum, with the first session held virtually on July 15. Addressing the supplier forum, which was attended by 29 suppliers, Eskom group CE André de Ruyter emphasised the need for Eskom and its suppliers to collaborate to take cost out of the supply chain, by focusing on a reduction in working capital, improving service levels and eliminating inefficiencies in Eskom’s procurement system.
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New initiative launched to raise awareness on key role of power grids in Africa

The RES4Africa Foundation, an Italian non-profit organisation that promotes the development of renewable energy on the continent, has launched a Grids4Africa initiative to support the development of the transmission and distribution networks needed to raise levels of renewables deployment and energy access. Nearly 600-million Africans currently do not have access to electricity and the Covid-19 crisis has, for the first time in a decade, reversed recent gains made in improving access.
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DMRE continues to monitor safety, security of energy and mining sectors

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) continues to monitor the safety and security of the energy and mining sectors amid ongoing acts of looting, destruction in violence across South Africa, but particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe also continues to interact with all energy and mining sector role-players during the ongoing unrest, the department states.
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AfDB sustainable energy fund secures $90m in new funding

The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (Sefa), managed by development finance institution the African Development Bank (AfDB), approved seven high-impact projects worth $54-million in 2020, the fund’s 2020 Annual Report shows. The fund also attracted increased donor funding and secured commitments worth $90-million from existing and new donors in the year, including from the German Ministry for Development Cooperation and the Nordic Development Fund, both of which joined Sefa in 2020.
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