PCC underlines support for electricity reforms as govt mulls coal life extensions

Amid a likely proposal that Eskom be allowed to extend the life of certain coal power stations beyond the decommissioning dates outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan, the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), which is chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, reaffirmed its support for the broader reforms under way in the energy sector, as well as the Energy Action Plan (EAP). In a statement issued following a meeting that took place in Johannesburg on Thursday, the commission expressed particular support for the creation of an independent transmission company, as well as the lifting of the cap on embedded generation, and moves to incentivise rooftop solar generation.
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World Bank proposes financing framework for developing countries’ energy transitions

International finance institution the World Bank has proposed a new framework to help develop a comprehensive financing approach for the energy transition. This comes as developing countries require an unprecedented transformation of power sector infrastructure, which includes scaling up of energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as phasing down of coal-fired power generation.
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EWSETA launches women-focused renewable energy skills programme

The Energy & Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA), together with the Department of Higher Education and Training and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on April 19 launched a renewable energy skills development programme for 100 women. The Electrical Engineering Renewable Energy Specialisation Skills Development Programme is seeing 100 artisans in electrical engineering being upskilled in renewable energy, over a six-month period.
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R400m energy fund launched to help finance backup power solutions for SMEs

Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financier Business Partners has launched a R400-million Energy Fund aimed at helping SMEs finance viable sources of alternative electricity and thereby keep them in business during loadshedding.

According to data published by the South African Reserve Bank, the accumulative loss business of Stage 6 loadshedding amounts to between R204-million and R900-million a day, with a portion of these losses incurred by thousands of small businesses that do not have the resources to install back-up sources of energy.

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Outa calls on National Treasury to abandon Eskom exemption

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has submitted written comments to the National Treasury on its proposal to exempt State-owned utility Eskom from disclosing irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in its yearly financial statements for 2022/23 and the following two years. A Government Gazette notice granting the exemption from the relevant section of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury regulation was published on March 31; however, following public outcry, it was withdrawn on April 6 and replaced by a call for comments on a proposed exemption.
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Ramaphosa affirms climate goal amid coal push

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to meet the nation’s net-zero carbon emission target despite a push to keep coal-fired power plants open. Ramaphosa met with the Presidential Climate Change Commission on Wednesday to review reports it produced after its members met with communities and other stakeholders over the impact of the country’s climate goals, said Crispian Olver, executive director of the panel.
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