Europe’s energy rush spurs Sasol to quicken green hydrogen plan

Europe’s scramble to find new sources of energy to reduce its reliance on Russia has given Sasol, South Africa’s biggest fuel producer, a new purpose to accelerate its green hydrogen plans. Sasol is focusing on green hydrogen — made by machines called electrolyzers that are powered by the wind and sun — in South Africa’s northwest coast. The company is doing a feasibility study that it expects to complete in two years, according to Sasol’s CEO Fleetwood Grobler.
/by

KZN needs R1.9bn to repair infrastructure damaged in floods

The KwaZulu-Natal government will need more than R1.9-billion to complete work to refurbish what the recent floods have destroyed. Premier Sihle Zikalala made the announcement during an update on the response to the floods on April 24.
/by

Investec launches first green bond

Banking and wealth management firm Investec has reaffirmed its commitment to funding a sustainable future by issuing its first green bond, which is backed by a number of Investec’s flagship renewable energy projects, all of which are helping to create a cleaner future for South Africa.

The bonds raised R1-billion under Investec’s Domestic Medium-Term Note bond programme, which was 3.8 times oversubscribed – revealing significant appetite among institutional investors who want to make a positive impact in terms of their environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments.

/by

Documentary seeks to ignite conversation on Mpumalanga’s just transition

A new documentary, highlighting both the fears and potential of pursuing a so-called just transition in the coalfields of South Africa, has been released on YouTube. The 30-minute video includes interviews with community members, workers and businesspeople from the Steve Tshwete and Emalahleni municipalities, in Mpumalanga, whose lives and livelihoods are currently inextricably linked to coal.
/by

We owe the board and management of Eskom our full support, Ramaphosa asserts

“We owe the board and management of Eskom our full support as they work to turn the utility around,” President Cyril Ramaphosa writes in his weekly newsletter. Published against the backdrop of a recent bout of Stage 4 load-shedding and fresh finger-pointing over who is to blame for intensifying load-shedding, Ramaphosa insists that the crisis has its roots in events that pre-date the current Eskom leadership.
/by

Load-shedding to be suspended at 22:00 on Friday

Load shedding will be suspended at 22:00 on Friday, Eskom announced. That said, the utility cautioned that the system remains severely constrained and volatile.
/by

Cast resin transformers show significant benefits

Electrical and digital building infrastructure specialist Legrand’s range of cast resin transformers (CRT) has been designed for high-efficiency, enhanced safety and low environmental impact during energy distribution in diverse applications. Typical installations include data centres, shopping malls, hospitals and residential buildings. CRTs are also suitable for photovoltaic (PV) installations and wind power, as well as offshore applications, the railways, shipping and airport facilities.
/by

Delaying projects puts pressure on limited skills

The delay of emergency-generation capacity projects – all part of the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) – because of the powership court case, will not only affect independent power producers but also have a knock-on effect on demand for local skills and resources, says recruitment and staffing solutions company Quyn International MD Wayne Alcock.
/by

Energy mix required to assist with power generation challenges

All possible creative and innovative energy solutions must be explored to mitigate the challenges faced by State-owned power utility Eskom while it tries to diversify the energy mix and reduce the reliance on coal-powered generation, says strategic research and advisory company Birguid senior associate Patience Panashe.
/by

Maintenance needed for ageing infrastructure

The ageing electrical infrastructure in South Africa highlights the need for constant monitoring and maintenance to ensure daily functioning, says electricity utility company South Power Maintenance business development executive Thamie Nyembe.
/by