European-Japanese project to cut costs of turning carbon dioxide into methanol soon to start tests

The Euro-Japanese Laurelin project, to develop innovative technologies to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into renewable methanol, is completing the assembly of three advanced chemical reactor demonstrators, to test three different CO2 conversion technologies. The project has been running for a year, and is funded by the European Union’s (EU’s) Horizon 2020 programme and the Japan Science and Technology Agency. It involves research organisations, universities and small and medium enterprises in EU …
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Energy crisis may spur South Africa to allow more private power

South Africa is considering more than doubling the amount private power producers can generate without requiring a license in a bid to reduce blackouts that are hobbling the economy, people with knowledge of the matter said. President Cyril Ramaphosa is racing to make an announcement as soon as Sunday, the people said, asking not to be identified as the matter isn’t public. South Africa last year removed a license requirement for private investors to build their own power plants of up to 100 megawatts under a plan to reduce excessive bureaucracy and add generation capacity.
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Africa needs all hands on deck to meet 2030 energy goals

To achieve universal energy access by 2030, Africa will need a range of technologies and policy changes that open national grids to private participation, enable the establishment of microgrids and move to regional power trading and power pools, energy industry experts highlighted during a webinar this week. The ‘Energy in Africa’ think-tank webinar, hosted by consulting and market research multinational Frost & Sullivan Africa on July 14, debated the opportunities, challenges and dynamics in the energy industry in Africa.
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Platinum-containing hydrogen fuel technology driving net-zero ambitions – WPIC

The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) says platinum group metals (PGMs) are enabling many sectors globally to achieve net-zero carbon emissions goals through their use in hydrogen energy and low-emissions technology, and especially through green hydrogen production.

Hydrogen fuel – made from methane or by electrolysis of water – can be used in hydrogen fuel cells to produce electricity, which is, in turn, used to power drive systems in vehicles, offering an alternative to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

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ANC considers second State-owned power utility to challenge Eskom ‘monopoly’ – Ramaphosa

African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday announced that the party is strongly considering the establishment of a second State-owned power utility to reduce the risk posed by Eskom’s failings. Ramaphosa, who gave the ANC’s message of support on the third day of the South African Communist Party’s elective congress, said the proposal was initially made by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe after the power utility plunged the country into stage six load-shedding.
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Actis hires Citi to sell African renewables firm

Buyout firm Actis appointed Citigroup to help with the sale of its BTE Renewables business in South Africa and is seeking a value close to $1-billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The parties are close to putting together a shortlist of potential buyers, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the plans are still private. While the deal is attracting some interest there’s no guarantee a transaction will go ahead, they said.
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Business outlines 10-point plan for unlocking 15 GW of new electricity capacity

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has outlined a set of ten interventions that it believes could unlock much-needed investment into new generation and storage capacity over the coming two years and should be included as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa comprehensive plan for tackling load-shedding, which is expected to be unveiled soon. The BUSA intervention envisages the introduction of 15 GW of additional generation capacity, together with 4 GW of battery storage, over a 24-month period.
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Business outlines 10-point plan for unlocking 15 GW of new electricity capacity

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has outlined a set of ten interventions that it believes could unlock much-needed investment into new generation and storage capacity over the coming two years and should be included as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa comprehensive plan for tackling load-shedding, which is expected to be unveiled soon. The BUSA intervention envisages the introduction of 15 GW of additional generation capacity, together with 4 GW of battery storage, over a 24-month period.
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IRP 2019 implementation to continue while plan is reviewed, consulted and updated

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) director-general Jacob Mbele has confirmed that the Integrated Resource Plan of 2019 (IRP 2019) will continue to be implemented while it is reviewed, consulted, and updated – a process that is set to continue well into 2023. Speaking during a dialogue on the energy transition hosted by the Presidential Climate Commission, Mbele argued that the IRP 2019, which is widely accepted to include assumptions that are out of date, was “not irrelevant” and that its implementation would thus proceed.
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Coalition demands Ramaphosa address energy crisis, replace Mantashe

The Climate Justice Coalition – a coalition of South African trade unions and grassroots, community-based and nonprofit organisations – will march to the office of the Presidency on Nelson Mandela Day (July 18) to hand over a petition demanding the energy crisis be dealt with.

The petition calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to implement an emergency renewable energy plan to end load-shedding, to replace Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and otherwise fix the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).

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