Eskom seeks to show prudency of running diesel plants as its pegs cost of load-shedding at R9.53/kWh

State-owned electricity producer Eskom sought to demonstrate the economic prudency of running the diesel-fuelled open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) harder to mitigate load-shedding during the fourth day of National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) public hearings into its latest allowable revenue application. Eskom is seeking allowable revenue of R293.4-billion for 2022/23, which would result in a 20.5% tariff hike from April 1 if granted.
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Renewable alternatives critical to support Mpumalanga’s decarbonisation drive

The transformation and decarbonisation of the South African energy system is gathering momentum; however, a regional plan is required for the coal mining region of Mpumalanga, to prevent considerable economic and socioeconomic losses and ensure a just transition, and a push for renewable energy in the province has the potential to achieve that transition. This is according to the South Africa Benefits study report: “From coal to renewables in Mpumalanga: Employment effects, opportunities for local value creation, skills requirements, and gender-inclusiveness”, which was published on January 18.
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Zimbabwe export farm’s 510 kW solar PV and 1 MWh battery powering packhouse, cold storage

A 510 kW and 1 MWh solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage installation to power the packhouse and cold store facilities of Zimbabwean agricultural company Nhimbe Fresh has started generating electricity. The $1.4-million project was funded through a crowd-sale completed by solar leasing platform Sun Exchange.
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Consultancy releases comprehensive map of Southern Africa Power Pool

Consultancy AmaranthCX has published a new electronic map of the electricity infrastructure in countries that are part of the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) for use with Google Earth or Google Maps.

The map geolocates 317 operating power stations across the 11 member countries of SAPP, as well as substations and transmission and distribution lines.

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