Mantashe confirms IRP 2019 review, but offers no timing specifics

Minerals Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe reported on Thursday that the Integrated Resource Plan of 2019 (IRP 2019), which is widely acknowledged to be out of date, would be reviewed. However, he said he could not yet provide a timeframe for the publication of the update or indicate what process would be followed.
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Mahlako Energy invests in Harmony Gold’s Phase 1 solar project

Discretionary managed fund Mahlako Energy Fund has concluded its investment in an industrial independent power generation project for the Harmony Gold Mining-commissioned 30 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) portfolio. This project is among the first projects to be developed following changes to Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act.
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Renewable energy project developers should pay closer attention to stakeholder management, …

Renewable energy project developers need to prioritise stakeholder management to avoid shortcomings later on, says law firm ENSafrica natural resources and environment senior associate Mihlali Sitefane.

She notes that the management of key stakeholders is often not a priority, compared with the urgency and the need to operationalise renewable energy projects – “often [a] short-sighted approach”.

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Solar-battery hybrids worth R16bn only projects to cross ‘emergency procurement’ finish line

The South Africa government and Eskom have signed agreements with three of the 11 projects named as preferred bidders in March 2021 under the much-delayed Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP). The 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) and associated implementation agreements, were signed on June 2 with Scatec, of Norway, for three solar-battery hybrid projects that will provide 150 MW of dispatchable renewable electricity from 5:00 in the morning to 21:30 in the evening.
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Toyota, Woven Planet develop portable hydrogen cartridge prototype

Japanese mobility group Toyota and its subsidiary Woven Planet have developed a working prototype of a portable hydrogen cartridge.  This cartridge design is set to facilitate the everyday transport and supply of hydrogen energy to power a broad range of daily life applications in and outside of the home. 
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Pandemic, Ukraine war impede global energy development – report

The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, including lockdowns, disruptions to global supply chains and the diversion of fiscal resources to keep food and fuel prices affordable, have affected the pace of progress toward the United Nations’ seventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030.

This is according to the 2022 edition of ‘Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report’, which shows that advances have been impeded particularly in the most vulnerable countries and those already lagging in energy access.

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Eskom warns power system is ‘severely constrained’

Eskom warned on Thursday afternoon of a “severely constrained” power system and said it might have to implement load-shedding at short notice.  “Should there be any significant breakdowns, load-shedding may be required at short notice, most likely during the evening peak of 17:00 and 22:00,” the utility said in a statement.
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Role confirmed for local green entrepreneurs in economic recovery, just transition

There are a number of opportunities for local green entrepreneurs in South Africa and they can play a pivotal role in the country’s economic recovery and just energy transition; however, it is imperative that challenges in the ecosystem be addressed and for support for participants to be bolstered. This was indicated by speakers during economic research institute Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies’ webinar, titled “Unpacking the Green Economy Ecosystem: Business Development Support Services for Local Green Entrepreneurs”, on June 1.
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Funder says Eskom’s $8.7bn power plant won’t make money

An $8.7-billion power plant in South Africa won’t ever make a profit because of delays, design defects and increasing opposition to coal-fired electricity generation, one of its funders said. Cost overruns at the 4 764 MW Medupi coal-fired plant, owned by Eskom Holdings, along with the even larger Kusile facility are seen as key reasons for the State utility’s R396-billion debt burden. The project will not meet anticipated returns over its life and is unlikely to stay open that long as pressure grows to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said the African Development Bank (AfDB), which approved a €930-million loan for its construction in 2009.
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DMRE agrees to adopt amended African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research

The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, on May 31, unanimously voted to adopt the amended African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research (AFRA) as presented by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). Although South Africa has been signatory to the AFRA since its inception in 1990, the agreement has been amended to include two aspects, including that it remain in force indefinitely and to make provision for withdrawal. AFRA seeks to promote cooperation in the …
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