Unlocking grid immediately through curtailment a priority, Cassim confirms

Eskom interim CEO Calib Cassim has described unlocking grid connection capacity, using curtailment, as an urgent priority while Eskom and other stakeholders assess funding options to expand the transmission network. Speaking at a climate conference in Johannesburg, Cassim reported that discussions were under way on how to ensure that more renewable-energy independent power producers (IPPs) were connected to the grid ahead of the large-scale grid-related investment that was being planned.
/by

Inside the Energy One Stop Shop and its drive to fast-track electricity project applications

The Energy One Stop Shop, or EOSS, which was officially launched by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel in July, is in the ramp-up phase of a four-stage process aimed at fast-tracking the regulatory approvals required for new electricity projects to be connected to the grid. Cameron Mackay tells us more.
/by

Energy crisis being addressed, but implementation is slow, admits DMRE DG

One of the biggest positive developments over the last 12 months has been the “convergence of ideas on what we need to do to resolve the energy crisis”, says Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) director-general (DG) Jacob Mbele. “We come from a period where people were pushing for certain technologies, but there is now almost general consensus around the fact that we first have to fix what we have to ensure that we have energy security.”
/by

Mantashe seeks to extend the life of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has called on the private sector to “please and come talk to us” if they have any ideas on extending the life of South Africa’s fleet of coal-fired power stations. “There are many that have been earmarked for decommissioning because they are near the end of their life, but there is a view that is growing in Cabinet that many of them must have their life extended.”
/by

South Africa should not be pushed into a corner on just energy transition funding – Eskom, SANEDI

While any funding of South Africa’s embattled energy sector is welcome, South Africa should not “be pushed into a corner” on how this money should be spent, says South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) CEO Dr Zwanani Titus Mathe. “South Africa should not be dictated to on what technologies should be considered. Of source we should consider renewables…but the negative impact may be that we may be told to use this money only for solar or wind, and not for clean coal [projects].
/by