Global energy solutions provider Aggreko has acquired the South African and UK-based businesses of RenEnergy group, a business known for its innovative commercial and industrial solar energy generation and storage solutions. This strategic investment comes amid a greater drive for businesses, governments and individuals to transition to a greener, cleaner world. Hence, both companies are committed to being at the forefront of this transformation.
Solar installation company Impower has launched a flagship solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) facility at Coral Beach Residential Estate, in the Eastern Cape. Prior to the installation, the estate’s power supply depended on a busy commercial line, which was often vandalised by copper thieves. This resulted in frequent and extended power outages, in addition to the regular loadshedding.
Energy solutions company KS Energy is targeting financial closure this year for the first phase of a small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chain in partnership with a Tanzanian gas producer, with first gas offtake expected in early 2026. The capital expenditure for the liquefication plant will be less than $90-million.
State-owned development financier the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is gearing up to play a role in the public procurement of 7 615 MW of new electricity generation and storage capacity, including by facilitating participation for black-owned entities and communities. The DBSA has, to date, invested R12.4-billion into various projects procured since the launch of the country’s first independent power producer (IPP) auctions in 2011 and will now seek to participate in the three bidding rounds launched in December for 5 000 MW of renewable energy, 2 000 MW of gas to power (GtP) and 615 MW/2 460 MWh of battery storage.
Green and renewable hydrogen producer and supplier Lhyfe and renewable energy developer Source Galileo have entered into an agreement to jointly develop commercial-scale green and renewable hydrogen production units in the UK and Ireland, with plans under way for multiple units. The companies are collaborating to establish green hydrogen production units in the UK, which will be similar to Lhyfe’s recently inaugurated facility in Occitanie, in southern France.
The rapid pace at which South Africa is building renewable energy, driven by private sector investment, is viewed as positive in the global context, such as at the recently held World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) yearly Davos meeting, said business organisation Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso. There is opportunity for South Africa amid the global context beset by risks, but the momentum must continue, particularly the next steps to reform the electricity sector, including the establishment of an independent grid operator, she emphasised in her latest weekly newsletter, published on January 22.
Velaphi Ntuli has returned as the general manager of Koeberg nuclear power station after he was suspended in June 2021 over performance issues – allegations of which he has since been cleared. At the time of his suspension, Koeberg’s Unit 1 had not returned to service in May 2021 as scheduled.
Eskom has announced that Dan Marokane – who was named group CEO on December 8, almost a full year after André de Ruyter formally resigned – will assume office on March 1, 2024. Previously, Eskom indicated that Marokane would join the organisation no later than March 31, 2024, so as to allow him time to finalise his existing responsibilities.
The sheer urgency of addressing energy insecurity in Africa demands that a reliable grid is prioritised first and other energy concerns, such as transitioning to renewable-energy sources, second, says energy advocacy group African Energy Chamber executive chairperson NJ Ayuk. Ayuk critiques western leaders that often urge African nations to make a rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable-energy sources, stating “they seem to think that African nations can switch to renewable-power sources fairly easily, as if a good energy infrastructure was already in place”.
The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill will accelerate South Africa’s shift towards a decentralised, modern, and low-carbon energy system, says industry association Energy Council of South Africa CEO James Mackay. This shift will enable vital reforms that will help end loadshedding as well as accelerate the Just Energy Transition – which has the potential to unlock economic growth and job creation, he elaborates. The Energy Council of South Africa addressed the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy regarding the critical importance of passing the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, in December last year.
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