Eskom says inoperative Kusile units could be reintroduced earlier than planned as it reports …

The temporary stacks being introduced at the Kusile coal power station, where three previously operational units have been out of service for ten months, have been built and interim CEO Calib Cassim has expressed optimism that the units could be returned to service earlier than previously indicated. All three units, which have a combined capacity of 2 100 MW, became inoperable after the Unit 1 flue duct collapsed on October 23 due to a build-up of slurry. The collapse also compromised the unit 2 and 3 flue ducts, which share a common chimney with the Unit 1 flue.
/by

Regulation important for a successful energy transition

South Africa has added almost 3.5 GW of private renewable power generation over 15 months between March 2022 and June 2023, but conflicting messaging from government creates uncertainty, Earth & Wire CEO and industry body South African Independent Power Producers Association chairperson Thomas Garner has said. The transition requires regulation to ensure that South Africa optimises its use of and investments in infrastructure, and regulators must move faster to ensure the power grid is stable and utilities and municipalities are sustainable, University of Stellenbosch Centre for Renewable & Sustainable Energy Studies power system simulation chairperson Dr Bernard Bekker.
/by

Johannesburg secures initial private power deals

Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub, has secured bids from private producers to provide 92 megawatts of electricity to help shield the city from nationwide electricity shortages. The local government and Johannesburg utility City Power last year issued a request for short-term power purchase agreements. South Africa experiences electricity rationing on a regular basis as state-owned Eskom Holdings struggles to meet demand.
/by

Urgent electricity bill – key to solving SA’s power crisis – finally tabled after delays

The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, an urgent piece of legislation that is key to overcoming South Africa’s energy crisis, has finally been tabled in Parliament nearly five months after being approved by Cabinet. There are significant doubts that the bill, which is a crucial next step in the unbundling of Eskom and establishing a competitive electricity market, will be processed through Parliament before the end of the current administration. According to Zet Luzipo, chair of the mineral resources and energy portfolio committee, this is due to the possibly “highly contested” nature of the legislation and the number of lengthy and likely politicised public hearings that need to occur.
/by