Load-shedding to move to Stage 1 at 22:00 on Friday

Owing to the lower weekend demand, load-shedding will be reduced to Stage 1 from 22:00 on Friday, Eskom has announced. Load-shedding will continue at that level until 05:00 on Monday.
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Global nuclear body launches commercial hydrogen production roadmap initiative

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced that it is to develop a roadmap for the commercial scale production of hydrogen using nuclear power. This was because hydrogen was forecast to play a central role in future clean energy systems, especially in the ‘hard to abate’ sectors of the economy, such as steel, chemicals, and the various transport sectors. “Today the vast majority of hydrogen needed across industries is manufactured using fossil fuel technologies (primarily …
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Gordhan: Load-shedding ‘might’ move to Stage 1 – but Eskom sticks to status quo

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Friday said that Eskom may downgrade load-shedding to Stage 1. The minister was delivering an address at the Just Transition Framework Multi-Stakeholder Conference. The two-day conference, which started on Thursday, is taking place in Gauteng and is organised by the Presidential Climate Commission. In his address, Gordhan spoke about the importance of ensuring the transition is inclusive of all stakeholders of society. Early on Friday morning, however, Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said in a text message that while the power utility was expecting a reduction in demand from Friday afternoon into the weekend, the slow recovery of generation capacity did not for the moment not allow a reduction in the load-shedding stage yet.
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NPA, Eskom meet to collaborate on State capture and organised crime

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), led by National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi and Eskom CEO André de Ruyter met on May 5 to discuss appropriate collaboration on State capture cases and other organised crimes against Eskom.

Batohi and De Ruyter were accompanied by their top leadership and executive teams at the NPA’s head office.

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Nersa to hold public hearings on municipal tariff benchmarks in May

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) will approve its yearly percentage guideline increase and review municipal tariff benchmarks at a public hearing on May 13. This follows the publication of a consultation paper on March 30 on the review of the municipal tariff guideline increase, benchmarks and proposed timelines for the 2022/23 municipal tariff approval process.
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Opinion: Sasolburg power station turnaround offers hope for keeping lights on

In this opinion article, Sasol senior VP for the Sasolburg & Ekandustria operations Rightwell Laxa, and Sebenzana MD Andrew Carr, argue that old, coal-fired power stations similar to those used by Sasol and Eskom could achieve a much-needed maintenance turnaround by blending dwindling engineering expertise with a high-tech, asset management platform. The authors outline how boiler-tube failures at the Sasolburg power stations were reduced by more than 66% and how the old power stations are now achieving world-class performance levels.
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SAPVIA announces new CEO

Industry body the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) has appointed Dr Rethabile Melamu as its new CEO, effective from the beginning of May. Melamu is a chemical and environmental engineer by training and has international expertise in the green economy and energy sectors. She has a dedicated focus on African sustainable development.
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Renewable-energy projects considered for Komati repowering

State-owned power utility Eskom is investigating the implementation of solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, battery storage and, possibly, gas power generation projects at Komati power station, in Mpumalanga, as the station is scheduled to shut down this year. “We’ve divided this into two phases. In Phase 1, we’re looking to implement solar PV, wind and battery storage energy projects. In Phase 2, we will look at additional solar PV, wind and battery storage, and possibly gas, if we are able to transport gas to the area,” states Eskom just energy transition GM Mandy Rambharos.
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Servo-hydraulic tech reduces energy needs

As most machinery is manufactured overseas, there is not much local demand for servo-hydraulic technology, but “massive” energy savings can be achieved, says local industrial automation solutions provider Motion Tronic director Bradley Douglas. Motion Tronic is the South African representative of Germany-headquartered electric automation and drive systems manufacturer Baumüller, which advocates changing from hydraulic to servo-hydraulic technology.
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As drone deployment continues to expand, miners unearth whole-of-mine uses

The use of drones and ground-based robotics is evolving to such an extent locally that various companies are using them in all aspects of their operations, which is resulting in “bun fights” about which department gets to use the devices and payloads, says Dwyka Mining Services MD Jamie van Schoor. Using such technology is in line with calls in industry to embrace Industry 4.0, digitalise workflows and operations, increase efficiency and safety by removing humans from dangerous situations, and increase real-time Big Data capturing.
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