Irena concerned about overconcentration of critical minerals supply chains

A new report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) on the geopolitics of critical minerals points to a significant concentration in supply chains and calls for collaborative strategies to sustain the energy transition.  The ‘Geopolitics of the Energy Transition: Critical Materials’ report states that the energy transition requires a dramatic increase in the supply of critical minerals, despite their supply chains remaining vulnerable to a range of geopolitical risks. 
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Rapid action needed if African countries are to meet SDG7

For Africa to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) target of ensuring everyone can access affordable, dependable, sustainable and modern energy, there needs to be rapid implementation of comprehensive policies and the creation of a supportive environment in which United Nations (UN) member States can make the most of their constrained public resources over the next three years, to UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) economic affairs officer Anthony Monganeli Mehlwana has said. In a webinar on July 11 focused on finding ways to accelerate private sector investment in Africa to meet SDG7 and energy transition goals, he emphasised the importance of mobilising private sector investment at the same time to allow African countries to make the most of their domestic resources.  
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Stage 6 loadshedding returns

Less than a week after Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said he was confident that Eskom had enough generating capacity to withstand the cold weather, the power utility announced the implementation of Stage 6 loadshedding.  “Due to the loss of additional generating units overnight, the extensive use of Open Gas Cycle Turbines and the inability to replenish pumped storage dam levels, Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented at 07:00 this morning until 14:00,” the utility said.
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Electricity grid will suffer, says eThekwini, after Nersa rejects 18.5% hike

The eThekwini Metro says its already fragile electricity grid will be at a higher risk after the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) rejected its proposed 18.5% electricity tariff hike. In a letter addressed to city manager Musa Mbhele, which News24 has seen, Nersa CEO Nomalanga Sithole said, at a meeting on 2 June, it approved a 15.1% tariff increase for the 2023/24 period.
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Critical minerals market has doubled in five years, IEA report shows

The market for critical minerals used in electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines has doubled over the past five years, reaching $320-billion in 2022, and is expected to continue to growth strongly amid record deployments of clean energy technologies such as solar and batteries. The International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) inaugural ‘Critical Minerals Market Review’ shows that, from 2017 to 2022, the energy sector has been the main factor behind a tripling in overall demand for lithium, as well as the 70% jump in demand for cobalt and the 40% rise in nickel demand.
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Stages 2 and 4 load shedding to continue until further notice

Eskom on Monday announced that Stage 2 and 4 loadshedding will continue to be implemented until further notice. This was due to increased demand, it said.
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Cape Town residents fuming over electricity tariff hikes

Struggling Capetonians are feeling the pinch after the City of Cape Town’s 17.6% electricity tariff increase came into effect from July 1. Locals are up in arms saying they are getting no value for their money.
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As cold front hits, Ramokgopa expects loadshedding intensity to remain in check as attention …

Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says the first part of the Energy Action Plan’s (EAP’s) two-part goal of reducing the intensity of loadshedding has been largely achieved as the plan approaches its first-year anniversary. However, he says more work is required to address the second part, which relates to reducing the frequency of power cuts, which remain a daily reality. Delivering his weekly update on the implementation of the plan as the high-load Gauteng province was being hit by a cold front, Ramokgopa moved to highlight the supply and demand improvements that had been made since the EAP’s unveiling by President Cyril Ramaphosa on July 25 last year.
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Eskom to launch solar, battery tenders in 2024 as part of Komati ‘repowering’

Eskom reports that concessional funding of $497-million secured for the repowering and repurposing of the Komati coal power station, in Mpumalanga, is expected to become effective at the end of July. The final unit of Komati, which entered into commercial operation in 1961, was shut on October 31 last year and the site has since emerged as the flagship location for Eskom’s Just Energy Transition (JET) strategy.
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Congo and South Africa plan to revive Inga 3 hydro project

Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa on Thursday pledged to revive Congo’s giant Inga 3 hydroelectric project that South Africa hopes will help solve its crippling power crisis. The $14-billion project, which will harness the power of the Congo River, has been repeatedly delayed by red tape and disagreements between Congo and its partners.
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