Without controls and oversight, electricity state of disaster ‘open to abuse’ – Cesa

Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) has expressed some reservations with a proposal that a National State of Disaster be declared to tackle South Africa’s long-running electricity crisis. While not rejecting the proposal entirely given the urgent need to address the “serious crisis”, CEO Chris Campbell cautioned that “people with ill-intent” could abuse the declaration, as was the case when a State of Disaster was implemented during the Covid pandemic.
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Four West African nations get $311m from World Bank for renewables

The World Bank has signed an agreement with four West and Central African nations worth $311 million to fund renewable energy projects. The funds will finance around 106 MW of solar power generation capacity with battery energy and storage systems, and 41 MW expansion of hydroelectric capacity.
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Epic Outdoor launches solar-powered billboard in Johannesburg

Niche media company Epic Outdoor, which specialises in the development and marketing of large-format, high-impact static and digital out-of-home (OOH) platforms, has launched South Africa’s largest-ever digital billboard site on the N1 highway. The billboard is powered almost entirely by solar power. The property was specifically designed to accept advertising, and at 400 m2, the international-standard light-emitting diode (LED) billboard will be the largest roadside LED billboard in South Africa, the company says.
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OUTA brings application against Nersa to provide full Karpowership licences decisions details

Civil action nonprofit organisation the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has brought an application against the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) demanding the full records of decision to award generation licences to gas-to-power company Karpowership. Nersa has not revealed the financial implications of the deal, estimated to be more than R200-billion for the proposed 20-year contract.
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Babcock, B&W collaborate to deliver power sector solutions

Original-equipment manufacturer Babcock has entered into a strategic alliance agreement with US-based Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) to jointly market B&W’s thermal and environmental technologies in Southern Africa. B&W was established more than 150 years ago, and it develops technologies that aim to generate power more efficiently, safely and reliably.
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Omnia activates first of two 5 MW solar power plants

JSE-listed chemicals company Omnia has unveiled its new solar power plant at its Sasolburg operations, in the Free State. Darren Parker tells us more.
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NECOM outlines plan for adding and recovering 8 800 MW in 2023

Initiatives being coordinated under the aegis of the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) will seek to add about 8 800 MW of capacity to the South Africa’s electricity supply during the course of 2023 in an effort to reduce the intensity of loadshedding, a senior official from the NECOM secretariat has confirmed. In a briefing to editors, head of the project management office in the private of the President Rudi Dicks, who is also heading the NECOM secretariat, indicated that the additions do not include any success Eskom may have in recovering the performance of its coal fleet.
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Omnia signs MoU with German energy group to explore green ammonia production

Chemicals group Omnia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with WKN Windcurrent, a subsidiary of German renewable energy group PNE, to explore the feasibility of developing a green ammonia production plant in South Africa. Omnia CEO Seelan Gobalsamy says ammonia is a key ingredient in the agricultural and mining markets, which are the primary sectors that Omnia supplies.
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Dhesen Moodley to lead new SAWEA board

The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has announced its new board of governance, following its eleventh annual general meeting, held in Cape Town, on January 27. As the country accelerates its energy transition and pushes for energy security, the men and women who hold positions on this board will be charged with steering and advocating for wind, the industry body notes.
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Stage 6 loadshedding returns on Tuesday night after more breakdowns

Eskom has announced that loadshedding will escalate to Stage 6 on Tuesday night, after six generating units suffered breakdowns over the past 24 hours.  Loadshedding will initially jump to Stage 5 from noon on Tuesday, until 21:00. From there Stage 6 will run until 05:00 on Wednesday. From there, Stage 5 would continue until further notice. 
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