Wheeling framework remains an inhibitor to IPPs, says association

The current South African power industry structure is supportive of wheeling, in theory, but issues persist that limit the development of more third-party network access and the development of a competitive, open-access electricity market, the South African Independent Power Producers Association (SAIPPA) highlighted this week.

It unpacked some of these regulatory framework and implementation issues during a webinar on July 22.

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Platinum giants eye solar power as green answer to blackouts

The world’s biggest platinum miners are ramping up plans to build renewable energy plants to free them from power outages that have plagued South Africa for more than a decade and to reduce their carbon footprint. Sibanye-Stillwater, the No. 1 platinum miner, Impala Platinum Holdings and Anglo American Platinum said they plan to scale up solar and wind farms for their own use to cut reliance on state-owned utility Eskom Holdings, some of whose aging coal-fired plants have failed to keep up with electricity demand.
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Hybrid solar installation completed in Zimbabwe

The active partnership between South Africa-based solar solutions provider Blockpower SA and German-managed microgrid integrator Dhybrid has resulted in the completion of a 1.4 MWp, 1 MVA, 480 kWh hybrid solar system at an agriculture estate, in Zimbabwe. The Tanganda Tea Company, which operates several agriculture estates in the Chipinge district, procured the services of Blockpower to install a hybrid solar solution for its tea processing plant.
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Investment event targets S Africa and Germany

The annual Africa Financial Services Investment Conference – Investing in Africa event, known as AFSIC, organised by hosting company Africa Events Limited, will be held in London, UK, on October 11 and 12. The event provides a forum for investors, business leaders and dealmakers to build pan-African business networks, with a strong focus on investing in South Africa.
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Stage 2 load-shedding to hit SA on Thursday amid cold front

Eskom will implement stage 2 load-shedding from 16:00 to 21:00 on Thursday night due to generation issues, combined with the severe cold weather, the power utility announced.  “Unfortunately, a generation unit each at Tutuka and Medupi Power Stations were forced offline this afternoon, increasing the capacity constraints on the power system,” Eskom said. 
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Eskom warns of load-shedding as grid buckles amid high demand, loss of generation units

State-owned power utility Eskom warns that it may “be forced” to implement load-shedding at short notice as a result of increased consumption amid the severely cold weather currently sweeping across parts of South Africa, coupled with the loss of some generation capacity.

Generation breakdowns total 12 984 MW, while planned maintenance leaves a deficit of 2 924 MW.

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Kalahari GeoEnergy reports ‘exciting’ results for Zambian geothermal project

Zambian geothermal explorer Kalahari GeoEnergy’s ongoing feasibility study has modelled an initial power capacity of between 5 MW and 7 MW on the shallow outflow reservoir within the Bwanda section of the Bweengwa river geothermal resource area. The feasibility study is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.
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PowerGen, partners to connect 55 000 people to electricity in Nigeria

Grid and off-grid distributed energy developer PowerGen is partnering with CrossBoundary Energy Access (CBEA), Oikocredit, Triodos Investment Management, and EDFI ElectriFI to electrify the homes of 55 000 people in rural Nigeria. The project is supported by grant funding from the World Bank and the Nigeria Rural Electrification Agency’s Nigeria Electrification Project, which provides a fixed grant for each customer connected.
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eThekwini issues RFI as it gears up to procure 400 MW of IPP power

The eThekwini municipality, which has been badly affected by recent deadly rioting and looting, is pushing ahead with its electricity procurement plans and has issued a request for information (RFI) as part of preparations for the procurement of 400 MW of new generation capacity from independent power producers (IPPs). The RFI is in line with the city-region’s recently adopted Energy Transition Policy, encompassing the eThekwini Integrated Resource Plan, which outlines a phased transition to it sourcing 40% of its electricity from renewable-energy sources by 2030, and increasing that to 100% by 2050.
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Opinion: Is nuclear part of the answer to sub-Saharan Africa’s electricity shortage?

In this opinion article, South African Institute of International Affairs’ Isabel Bosman argues that, despite it pitfalls, nuclear is still an avenue worth exploring to address sub-Saharan Africa’s electricity supply deficit.
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