Array Technologies’ acquisition of STI Norland to aid expansion efforts

US-based utility-scale solar tracker technology multinational Array Technologies has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Spain-based solar tracker manufacturer Soluciones Técnicas Integrales Norland (STI Norland) for about €570-million in cash and stock, which will help to accelerate international expansion plans. “STI Norland brings to Array a proven product line that is ideally suited for complementary markets, which will help to accelerate our international expansion plans. The increased scale of the combined enterprise also provides opportunities for significant cost reduction as we drive greater volumes with our suppliers and achieve increased leverage on our fixed costs,” says Array chairperson Brad Forth.
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Study identifies green iron and bunker fuel as key initial domestic markets for green hydrogen

Developing green hydrogen export capacity at the ports of Saldanha Bay and Ngqura would have decarbonisation spinoffs for nearby hard-to-abate sectors, a new Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) study shows. Produced as a follow-up to an earlier research report that assessed whether South Africa could be competitive in producing green hydrogen and derivative products for export to Europe and Japan, the new study homes in on the domestic offtake prospects at the two ports identified in the initial study as potential export hubs.
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Eskom failures leave South Africa set for years of power cuts

South Africa’s deepening energy crisis looks set to persist for at least two more years, with operational problems at the monolithic state power utility showing no signs of abating and plans to add new generation capacity ensnared in legal wrangling and red tape. The meltdown at Eskom Holdings, which supplies more than 90% of the nation’s electricity, is a legacy of chronic mismanagement and rampant corruption during former President Jacob Zuma’s tenure along with a failure to adequately maintain plants and invest in new ones. Andre de Ruyter, who took over as chief executive officer in January 2020, has fallen short on a pledge to ease rolling blackouts, with the rot permeating far deeper than he initially anticipated.
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Enel brings forward net-zero commitment by ten years

Energy company Enel has brought forward its net-zero commitment by ten years, from 2050 to 2040, for direct and indirect emissions. The company has announced in its ‘2022 – 2024 Strategic Plan’ that it expects to mobilise investments of €210-billion between this year and 2030, of which €170-billion would be directly invested by the Enel group and €40-billion catalysed through third parties.
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DFFE appointing independent expert to help rule on Karpowership appeal

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment says it is appointing an “independent expert” to assist Minister Barbara Creecy in responding to an appeal by floating powership provider Karpowership SA. Karpowership SA, which falls under Turkey’s Karadeniz Energy Group, was in March named a preferred bidder in the state’s Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) to fast-track the production of new power to cut down on load shedding.
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