The UK government has released regulatory consultation proposals for the regulation of future nuclear fusion technology and power plant design, development, construction and operation. These were contained in a document called the Fusion Green Paper, which was published on Friday. The public and industry have until December 24 this year to submit their comments, suggestions, concerns and other responses to the proposals. Whereas nuclear fission (used in all existing nuclear power plants) releases energy by splitting atoms, nuclear fusion releases energy by smashing together atoms (specifically, hydrogen atoms). Fusion is the process that fuels the Sun and all other stars. Fusion would not have issues fission has, such as having to store and reprocess spent fuel, or having to deal, after decommissioning, with large and highly radioactive components. The main waste product from fusion would be (non-radioactive) water.
BP and Eni are seeking to raise up to $2-billion for their emerging oil and gas joint venture in Angola as both firms attempt to reduce their own debt to help build up renewables businesses, banking and industry sources said. BP and Eni announced in May that they had entered into talks to merge their oil, gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations in Angola to form one of Africa’s largest energy companies.
Western fossil fuel companies investing in Africa face a significant risk of regulatory action that’s getting more explicit as the world moves to try to tackle dangerous climate change, a US climate envoy said on Friday. During a virtual media briefing while in South Africa as part of a continental trip, US Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Jonathan Pershing urged investors to consider whether investing in fossil fuels was worthwhile.
Zimbabwe has allowed the export of 200 000 t of excess power coal because of limited intake at its biggest coal-fired power plant, which is beset by frequent breakdowns, the coal producers association said on Friday. The Southern African nation’s six coal miners have a standing arrangement to supply 300 000 t of coal to Hwange power station every month but constant breakdowns of ageing equipment mean the plant is taking in less coal.
Following the commissioning of the world’s largest off-grid solar-battery hybrid system for the mining industry, at the Fekola gold mine, in Mali, expectations to reduce the mine’s heavy fuel oil consumption by over 13-million litres a year and to lower carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 39 000 t/y have already been exceeded, Suntrace business development and sales manager Ralf Jungebloed tells Mining Weekly. “Solar production, to date, indicates that the plant will exceed initial power production estimates,” he adds.
World Bank Group member IFC and Burkina Faso energy company Sodigaz have entered into an agreement to boost access to cleaner energy solutions for thousands of households and businesses in Burkina Faso. Under the agreement, the IFC’s advisory services team will support Sodigaz to upgrade and expand its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution and service stations, increase solar home kit sales and introduce solar minigrid solutions.
One of the preferred bidders participating in South Africa’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) has confirmed that government has delayed the deadline of financial close to end of January. The delay was foreseen, but not confirmed by September 30, which was set as the deadline for financial close.
In this opinion article, Herbert Smith Freehills Africa Group co-head Martin Kavanagh and finance practice senior associate Joanne Elson write about their predictions for the use of energy storage solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the key areas for consideration when developing and financing those solutions.
Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) is a key milestone along South Africa’s energy path and confirms government’s commitment to address power generation shortages in the country, says independent power producer (IPP) Globeleq chief development officer Jonathan Hoffman. “This was an important and necessary signal to the local wind energy sector, which needs predictability and a steady flow of procurement over the coming years to justify the investment in new capacity. This is also important for international suppliers, who have to prioritise certain countries,” explains Hoffman.
The restart of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme’s (REIPPPP’s) Bid Window 5 (BW5), following a considerable hiatus, has brought with it with substantial investment and commitment. This demonstrates that developers can address the electricity-generation needs of the country and climate change commitments, says the South Africa Wind Energy Association (SAWEA).
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