Energy features strongly in IDC’s R24bn pipeline as Patel makes ‘go green’ call

The State-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is aiming to convert a significant portion of a R24-billion investment pipeline into commitments following a steep fall in both approvals and disbursements during its Covid-afflicted 2020/21 financial year. The development finance institution reported that disbursements fell to R6.3-billion, from R8.4-billion in the prior year, while approvals slumped to only R5.4-billion from R9.5-billion.
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Arise IIP gets carbon neutral certification for Gabon SEZ

Pan-African industrial parks developer Arise IIP has been awarded a carbon neutral certification for its Gabon special economic zone (SEZ). The certification provides a transparent third-party assessment of the SEZ’s carbon footprint and offsetting.
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EPC regulations to support energy efficiency businesses, says Alliance Energy

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regulations gazetted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) in December 2020 present opportunities for individuals and businesses in the energy sector, including young professionals, entrepreneurs and graduates in the engineering disciplines with the mindset to be a part of the energy efficiency solution, says Alliance Energy MD Vash Singh. Under the EPC regulations, buildings in South Africa need to have their energy performance assessed by an accredited party, which will issue an EPC that rates the building in terms of energy efficiency.
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Immediate introduction of new tariff methodology ‘not feasible’

State-owned electricity utility Eskom says it is “not feasible” for the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to make a revenue determination, for implementation on April 1 2022, on the basis of a new methodology that has yet to be consulted or finalised. On September 24, Nersa published a consultation paper on a possible new price determination methodology in which it states that the “current revenue-based methodology has fallen short in providing stable prices”.
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Nuclear corporation highlights benefits to South Africa of Multipurpose Reactor project

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has highlighted the importance to the country, and indeed the wider world, of the now-authorsied programme to construct a new Multipurpose Reactor (MPR). It did so in its statement, issued on Sunday, welcoming the Cabinet’s decision to approve the acquisition and construction of an MPR. The MPR will be located at Necsa’s complex at Pelindaba, west of Pretoria, and will replace the State-owned entity’s current 20 MW SAFARI-1 research reactor, which first became operational in 1965. “Cabinet approval of [the] SAFARI-1 replacement is a major milestone for South Africa, the continent and the whole world,” affirmed Necsa Group CE Loyiso Tyabashe.
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Risks linked to South Africa’s more ambitious decarbonisation pledge not yet ‘adequately …

Minerals Council South Africa has signalled its support for South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy, but is concerned that the immediate risks associated with the country’s more ambitious decarbonisation targets are not being adequately addressed. CEO Roger Baxter told participants to a virtual Presidential Climate Commission dialogue on the just transition on Thursday that systemic policy interventions, and other support, were required to drive a “risk-managed decarbonisation journey for South Africa”.
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China bailing on overseas coal should be a boon for renewables

If China puts the same financial heft behind green energy in emerging nations as it has in developing fossil fuels projects overseas, it’ll be a step change for global investment in renewables.

President Xi Jinping told the United Nations General Assembly this week that China will accelerate support to developing nations to install low-carbon energy sources as the nation also halts the building of new coal power overseas.

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Sasol’s revised decarbonisation commitments

Sasol has announced revised and accelerated decarbonisation commitments. Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer unpacks the significance of the 2030 target and the group’s promise to be net-zero by 2050.  
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AIMM says six more solar PV projects reach commercial operation

Six more solar photovoltaic (PV) projects situated in the Northern Cape and North West provinces have reached commercial operation, infrastructure equity investment management company African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) reported on Wednesday.

These projects include the 50 MW De Wildt solar project, the 68 MW Bokamoso solar project, the 75 MW Zeerust solar project and the 75 MW Waterloo solar project in the North West, as well as the 55 MW Boikanyo and the 75 MW Malta A Bokone projects in the Northern Cape.

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Exxaro, Cennergi developing 70 MW solar project in Lephalale

Diversified miner Exxaro Resources’ renewable energy subsidiary, Cennergi, will develop the 70 MW Lephalale solar project to supply the Grootegeluk coal mine, near Lephalale, Limpopo. The group announced on Wednesday that Exxaro Coal and Cennergi had concluded a term sheet, setting out material terms upon which a long-term power purchase agreement would be concluded.
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