Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan responded with an “emphatic no” to a question as to whether government considered outgoing Eskom CEO André de Ruyter to be a traitor, as implied in a recent statement by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, who said “Eskom, by not attending to loadshedding, is actively agitating for the overthrow of the State”. Gordhan was speaking during a briefing convened by Eskom chairperson Mpho Makwana after De Ruyter’s resignation – submitted at 7:30 on Monday December 12, only days after Mantashe’s comments – was confirmed by Eskom on December 14, following a media leak.
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan responded with an “emphatic no” to a question as to whether government considered outgoing Eskom CEO André de Ruyter to be a traitor, as implied in a recent statement by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, who said “Eskom, by not attending to loadshedding, is actively agitating for the overthrow of the State”. Gordhan was speaking during a briefing convened by Eskom chairperson Mpho Makwana after De Ruyter’s resignation – submitted at 7:30 on Monday December 12, only days after Mantashe’s comments – was confirmed by Eskom on December 14, following a media leak.
The Presidency and the National Treasury on December 14 released a progress report on the implementation of economic reforms during the third quarter to mark two years since the establishment of Operation Vulindlela. Among the highlights were that six projects, totalling 784 MW, signed project agreements under Bid Window (BW) 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
Engineering company ABB is partnering with Swedish mining and smelting company Boliden to use low-carbon copper in the production of its electromagnetic stirring (EMS) equipment and high-efficiency electric motors.

The aim of the partnership – to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions while driving the transition to a more circular economy – forms an integral part of ABB’s strategic ambition to reduce the environmental impact of raw materials used in its products by replacing them with lower-carbon alternatives.

Private power company Globeleq has signed financing agreements with development finance institutions the African Development Bank (AfDB), Finnfund and the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB) for $72-million debt funding for the 35 MW Menengai geothermal project in Nakuru county, Kenya. Globeleq is providing equity, project development and construction management experience. Construction of the project is expected to start during the first quarter of 2023, once financial close has been reached.