BlueNova opens Intelligent Energy Storage Systems production facility

South African energy storage company BlueNova Energy on September 15 launched its new office and factory space in Pretoria East.  The official opening of the new Intelligent Energy Storage Systems (iESS) production facility marks a critical milestone towards achieving BlueNova’s production goal of producing 200 MWh monthly for 2022.
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Coalition plans marches in pursuit of a just transition

Youth leaders, civil society groups, trade unions and grassroots movements under the Climate Justice Coalition have expressed dissatisfaction with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and will, as a result, hold planned nationwide marches, it said on September 15. The coalition bemoaned that the DMRE “has continued to approve gas and coal projects while disregarding any just energy plan”.
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CDH says project developers may see quicker turnaround timing of WUL processing in future

Water use licence (WUL) application delays can result in infrastructure projects missing development deadlines, developers incurring additional costs, and in some extreme cases, may prevent projects from being developed at all.

This can result in a cost burden on developers who have incurred costs developing, permitting and bidding projects, and have a broader impact on the South African economy which desperately needs expedited infrastructure development to take place.

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FirstRand to end funding for new coal mines, power plants

South Africa’s FirstRand will end funding for new coal-fired power stations and coal mines and has lowered the cap on its coal exposure as part of moves to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, it said on Wednesday. South Africa’s banks are the biggest on the continent, with the likes of FirstRand major lenders to fossil fuel projects, especially in oil and gas, and are increasingly under pressure from environmental groups to turn off the taps.
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