DFFE invites public comment on standard for the development of power lines, substations

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has opened channels for the public to comment on the ‘Standard for the Development of Power Lines and Substations within Identified Geographical Areas Revision of August 2021’, which negates the need for environmental assessments in certain instances in which power lines and substations will be developed.  The public consultation process was launched through the publication, on April 7, of Government Gazette 46209 in terms of the National Environmental Management Act.
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Global governmental clean energy spending up 50% over past five months

The International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) Sustainable Recovery Tracker’s latest update shows that clean energy spending earmarked by governments in response to the Covid-19 crisis had risen by 50% over the past five months to more than $710-billion worldwide. However, “troubling” imbalances persisted between regions.
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Eskom aiming to unlock 1 000 MW through Mpumalanga land lease bidding process

State-owned electricity utility Eskom has initiated a bidding process for the leasing of generation land in Mpumalanga to independent power producers (IPPs) and CEO André de Ruyter indicates that there is sufficient grid capacity available to support renewables projects with a combined capacity of about 1 000 MW. Speaking following the resumption of load-shedding on April 11, De Ruyter said the request for proposals (RFP) documentation had been issued on April 8, with a closing date for submissions of April 29.
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LHDA awards Polihali Operations Centre construction contract

L&M, a joint venture between Lesotho company LSP Construction and South Africa-registered Mofomo Construction, has been awarded the tender for the construction of the Polihali Operations Centre by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA). The construction of the centre is a critical component of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project’s (LHWP’s) advance infrastructure.
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Stage 2 load-shedding to resume at 17:00

State-owned power utility Eskom said that Stage 2 load-shedding will resume at 17:00 on April 12 and will again be suspended at 05:00 on April 13 owing to the continued shortage of generation capacity. Load-shedding had been suspended at 05:00 on April 12, after being implemented from 18:00 the night before, but the constrained supply situation will persist throughout the week, with the possibility that more load-shedding is likely to be implemented should the generation capacity deteriorate further, the utility says.
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