SANEDI’s pioneer conference showcases initiatives to tackle energy challenges

Mineral Resources and Energy Deputy Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has emphasised the need to invest in science, technology and innovation to grow South Africa’s economy and to address the country’s well-documented energy challenges. She was speaking on the first day of the South African National Energy Development Institute’s (SANEDI’s) first yearly energy conference, which is being held this week, in Johannesburg.
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Petroleum industry significantly impacted on by loadshedding

The South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) says the ongoing loadshedding crisis has significantly impacted on its members, with widespread power outages affecting various sectors of its business operations, with substantial implications. Among the areas of business most affected by loadshedding, Sapia reports that the purchase and operation of generators at operating facilities such as depots and service stations have contributed significantly.
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Sasol, Air Liquide conclude corporate PPA with Mainstream for 97.5 MW solar project

A 97.5 MW solar photovoltaic project will be constructed in the Free State following the signing of a 20-year corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) between Mainstream Renewable Power and industrial groups Sasol and Air Liquide. The project forms part of a joint initiative by Sasol and Air Liquide to decarbonise their operations at Sasol’s Secunda complex, in Mpumalanga, through the integration of 600 MW of renewable electricity in the coming years.
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New $1.8bn-plus concessional loan package signed to support JET-IP

South Africa has confirmed the signing of three new policy loan agreements – worth more than $1.8-billion – in support of the country’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), the implementation plan for which was approved by Cabinet last week. The dollar- and euro-denominated loans are described as “concessional’ and have been provided directly to the National Treasury for general budget expenditure purposes by the World Bank, Germany’s Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
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South Africa’s quest for energy security threatens climate goals

South Africa is likely to prioritise energy security over its decarbonisation aspirations to avoid further damage to its economy, said James Mackay, the chief executive officer of the Energy Council of South Africa. That would involve extending the life of some of state power utility Eskom’s coal-fired plants. The cost may be reduced access to concessional climate finance and a decline in the competitiveness of South African exports as the European Union ramps up levies on imported products that have carbon-heavy production processes, he said.
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