Nuclear corporation extends deadline for research reactor RFI responses

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) announced on Sunday that it was extending the deadline for responses to its Request for Information (RFI) regarding its Multi-Purpose Reactor (MPR) project, by 30 days, to this coming April 8, at 16:00 South African time. The extension is due to, in Necsa’s words, “the excellent global response” to the RFI and to allow the responders additional time so that they could supply more detailed information. The corporation highlighted that the RFI was not focused exclusively on the MPR itself. The RFI was looking at a wide range of components and services. In addition to the nuclear reactor, these were – a neutron beamline centre and associated equipment; facilities for fuel and material testing (by irradiation); the manufacturing of fuel and target plates; and on-site accommodation or lodging.
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South Africa must build resilience to external shocks while decarbonising

If South Africa were to pursue its own version of a Green New Deal (GND), it would need to decarbonise the economy while building resilience to external shocks and stabilising the economy for all, said Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity president Fadhel Kaboub on February 25. He espoused these lofty ideals while speaking at a webinar, hosted by strategic climate change grant-making organisation the African Climate Foundation and climate change and social justice activist organisation Heinrich Böll Foundation, that sought to explore the possibility of a GND for South Africa.
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Bushveld Energy pushing for localisation of VRFB technology

South Africa needs to industrialise further and create more jobs and vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) manufacturing presents an ideal technology for full localisation. Energy storage solutions provider Bushveld Energy is seeking to build a local supply chain for its VRFB technology and is aiming to achieve “extremely high” levels of local content.
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Mantashe says Eskom to seek permission for coal-to-gas switch at some old stations

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says he expects Eskom to make an application soon for a Section 34 determination to facilitate gas-to-power generation at some of the coal power stations that the utility aims to repower and repurpose as part of its unfolding just energy transition strategy. Speaking during an energy dialogue hosted by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) and the Financial Mail, Mantashe indicated that the determination would be “in addition” to the 3 000 MW allocation for gas-to-power in the Integrated Resource Plan of 2019 (IRP 2019), which outlines the new electricity generation to be introduced to the system by 2030.
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Wescoal puts Vanggatfontein on care and maintenance as it struggles to secure Eskom CSA extension

Coal miner Wescoal has decided to put its Vanggatfontein Colliery on care and maintenance while it tries to secure an extension to a coal supply agreement (CSA) with power utility Eskom. Wescoal acquired the mine, in Delmas, Mpumalanga, in 2017 as part of its buyout of Keaton Energy.
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Indaba ties in with city’s energy plans

With the City of Cape Town being an emerging leader in the new energy space in South Africa, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says hosting the Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) bodes well for the city’s energy plans. “While we want to focus the attention on Cape Town as a tourism and event’s destination, we also want to showcase the innovative work that the city is doing on energy: reducing our reliance on State-owned power utility Eskom, increasing our reliance on renewable power, buying our own independent power and generation capacity and investing in storage. Our plans regarding the procurement of significant renewable power of our own in Cape Town will be publicly released in upcoming weeks.”
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Council to coordinate content at Indaba

The South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC), supported by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), is collaborating with the Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) to profile South African companies in the energy sector at the event. SAEEC is coordinating the engagement between business advisers from Africa with South African companies, and collaborating with AEI organisers regarding content to be discussed at the event.
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Power Quality the focus at AEI

The National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) aims to raise awareness of the importance of Power Quality in the manufacturing industry at this year’s Africa Energy Indaba (AEI). Power Quality refers to the degree to which a power system conforms to established standards; in the South African context the standard is NRS048. It refers to voltage, waveform, and frequency parameters of power, and deviations in these parameters affect equipment connected to the power system in its ability to function properly.
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EPC company a gold partner at Indaba

Engineering procurement and construction (EPC) company Lesedi is participating at this year’s Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) as a gold partner, says Lesedi business development executive Shane Pereira. This will be the company’s eighth year of participation.
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Indaba to focus on increasing need for energy access

This year’s Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) will focus on the growing need for energy access throughout Africa, says exhibitions company Siyenza MD Liz Hart. The event will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 1 to 2 March 2022.
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