Top coal miners consider bids for South African renewables firm

Exxaro Resources and Thungela Resources, South Africa’s two largest coal miners, are considering bids for Actis’ BTE Renewables, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Chinese firms are also interested in acquiring the assets, said the people who asked not to be identified as the information is private. Actis is seeking about $800-million for the company, the people said.
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Eskom expects restatements of FY21 results, to publish FY22 results end-November

Further to Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan confirming on September 28 that Eskom would not have its annual financial statements ready by the statutory deadline of September 30, the State-owned power utility has announced that the results would be published by end November.

Eskom attributes the late results to a delay in the appointment of external auditors, as announced on November 4 last year, the extensive process of taking on a new audit and the time it takes to resolve issues that have been raised during the audit.

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Collaboration key to realising Africa’s green hydrogen economy potential

There is considerable potential for Africa to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the green hydrogen economy, and for South Africa to be the hub out of which this is done; however, a key requirement of this will be collaboration. This was the key message from opening keynote speakers during the first day of the Hydrogen Africa Conference and Expo 2022, held in Sandton on September 28.
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Eskom plans to power SA households with micro-grids made of upcycled shipping containers

With nearly a third of the country not yet electrified, Eskom believes its containerised micro-grids – made of repurposed shipping containers – are an innovative way to solve for energy access, says its general manager for Just Energy Transition, Mandy Rambharos. Rambharos and Eskom CEO André de Ruyter on Wednesday participated in the Africa Renewable Investments Summit, held in Cape Town.
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Embattled Eskom takes another hit as Busi Mavuso resigns from already hobbling board

The Eskom board has been reduced to just five non-executive directors, from a necessary 13, after the resignation with immediate effect of Busi Mavuso on Tuesday soon after a short meeting between the board and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. Mavuso, who is also the executive director of Business Leadership South Africa, was the sole remaining chartered accountant on the board and chairperson of the two-person finance and investment sub-committee.
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South Africa back to Stage 4 overnight as rough seas prevent diesel delivery

Load-shedding will remain at Stage 4 throughout the night, Eskom announced on Wednesday evening. Previously, it downgraded load-shedding to Stage 3 during night-time. However, its diesel stocks are running low after a vessel that was supposed to offload diesel at Mossel Bay couldn’t berth due to rough seas. Eskom depends on diesel-fired Open-Cycle Gas Turbines in Ankerlig, Cape Town, and Gourikwa near Mossel Bay for emergency power.
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Karpowership aims for environmental ruling in South Africa by April

Karpowership, the Turkish company seeking to supply 1 220 MW of power to South Africa, will refile an application to the environment department in a bid to move its project forward at a time when the nation is suffering its worst-ever power cuts, a person familiar with the situation said. The application will be filed by Jan. 8 and a response from the department will be given by the end of March, the person said, asking not to be identified as a public statement hasn’t been made. The company will then aim to complete its financial arrangements in May and electricity from its gas-fired power plants mounted on ships may be supplied about a year later, the person said.
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SAB launches ESG strategy

Beverage producer South African Breweries (SAB) has launched its first environment, social and governance (ESG) strategy, and will release its first Global Reporting Initiative-compliant ESG report in November. Speaking at the launch of the SAB ESG strategy in Johannesburg on September 28, SAB corporate affairs VP Zoleka Lisa said the company’s ESG strategy was built around eight strategic priorities: climate action; water stewardship; entrepreneurship; diversity and inclusion; circular packaging; smart agriculture; responsible consumption; and ethics and transparency.
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South Africa needs more renewables – De Ruyter

Meeting air quality standards would warrant Eskom decommissioning as much as 16GW of its coal-fired power stations immediately, which would exacerbate load shedding to unprecedented stages, according to CEO André de Ruyter. De Ruyter on Wednesday laid out Eskom’s vision for a just energy transition at the Africa Renewables Investment Summit, held in Cape Town.
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Komati power station to be decommissioned and repurposed

The South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (Saretec), which is based at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), together with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) have signed a partnership agreement with Eskom for the development of a new training facility to be established at the soon-to-be-decommissioned Komati power station.
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