Loadshedding reduced further as six generating units come back online

Loadshedding will be reduced to Stages 1 and 3 from 5:00 on Tuesday, following the return to service of six generating units over the weekend, Eskom said in a statement on Monday. However, Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 on Monday until 05:00 on Tuesday, as previously communicated. After that, South Africans will see Stage 1 loadshedding from 05:00 until 16:00, followed by Stage 3 loadshedding from 16:00 until 05:00 on Wednesday. This pattern will continue to be implemented daily until further notice, Eskom said. “Breakdowns have reduced to 15 747MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 1 946MW. Since Friday, a generating unit each at Kriel, Lethabo, Majuba, Matla and two generating units at Arnot power stations were returned to service. The delay in returning to service a generating unit each at Kendal, Matla and two generating units at Tutuka power stations is contributing to the current capacity constraints,” the utility added.
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Ramokgopa deeply worried about prospect of both Koeberg units being unavailable due to Unit 1 …

Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has expressed deep concern that another delay to the return to service of Koeberg Unit 1 could result in both of the nuclear power station’s units being out of service simultaneously later this year. The unit is currently undergoing a long-duration outage that includes the replacement of its three steam generators, which is one of the preconditions for extending the plant’s life for 20 years.
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Loadshedding worsens, govt mulls concessions at coal-fired power stations

Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the return of Stage 6 loadshedding against the backdrop of South Africa marking one year since the launch of the Energy Action Plan to tackle loadshedding, as well as the concessions under consideration by government and Eskom at the coal-fired power stations to improve their performance.
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Compressor control solutions offer optimisation, increased efficiency

Automation technology and solutions specialist Rockwell Automation offers solutions for controlling and protecting compressors; these solutions improve energy efficiency, optimise machine performance and allow for making data-driven decisions that enable efficient and effective operations. The solutions include hardware and software, with application-focussed programming required to provide a complete solution, consequently enabling customers to efficiently manage the machine during operational times, says Rockwell Automation compressor specialist Andries Kruger.
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Brace for a weekend of Stage 6 loadshedding

Stage 6 loadshedding will continue to be implemented over the weekend in order to replenish emergency reserves, Eskom said in a statement on Thursday.  “The increase in the demand for electricity due to the cold weather, particularly on Monday and Tuesday, was anticipated, however this demand exceeded what was forecasted,” the power utility said.
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Eskom Generation mulling concession models as it seeks to improve coal plant performance

Eskom’s generation business is currently weighing various concession models as the utility assesses ways to improve the performance of its breakdown-prone coal-fired power stations in a context of ongoing financial constraints, as well as restrictions on the raising of new debt. Eskom Generation engineering GM Thomas Conradie confirmed during an EE Business Intelligence webinar on Thursday that the options ranged from the concessioning of entire plants to private operators, to the concessioning of ringfenced functions within power stations.
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US agency sees Lobito rail corridor helping to diversify critical minerals supply chains

US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) CEO Scott Nathan has reiterated the American government’s interest in helping to finance the Lobito rail corridor, linking the copper and cobalt mining regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to Angola’s Lobito port. Nathan, who is heading the US Delegation to the US-Africa Business Summit in Botswana this week, made specific reference to the corridor during a virtual media briefing hosted on the sidelines of the summit.
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Stalled South African power projects for 1 850 MW risk losing grid access

Companies yet to complete financing arrangements to build 1 850 MW of power-generation capacity in South Africa in terms of a government tender in 2021 may lose the right to connect to the national grid at the end of this month. The access for projects by Karpowership, Acwa Power Co. and others relating to contracts for 2 000 MW awarded more than two years ago expires on July 31, national power utility Eskom said in an emailed response to questions. Scatec ASA has achieved so-called financial close for its 150 MW of projects. The emergency-power programme has been beset by delays. Karpowership, the provider of gas-fired plants mounted on ships that won about 60% of the tender, has seen its plans thwarted by lawsuits and environmental challenges. A surge in construction costs globally has also complicated attempts by the bid winners to make financial arrangements. Grid access is in short supply in South Africa.
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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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