The 600 MW coal-fired Kelvin power station, in Isando, Ekurhuleni, has installed a 300 m3/h flue gas emissions capturing pilot project, which removes carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides to make sulphuric acid, ammonium sulphate and ammonium bicarbonate (ABC) crystals. These are industrial products, which can be used as industry inputs and to make fertiliser. Specialist industrial and agricultural chemicals company Omnia has developed a marketable fertiliser formulation using converted inorganic salts from the plant, which it demonstrated at the site on March 20.
As South Africa’s energy sector continues to grapple with climate change and an increasing demand for electricity, electromechanical equipment manufacturer ACTOM is making significant strides in redefining the industry through its production of transformers, high-voltage equipment, switchgear and control systems, according to CEO Mervyn Naidoo. The company’s offerings – such as the complete build of substations on an engineering, procurement and construction basis, alongside the operation and maintenance of plants and all associated components – underscore its commitment to excellence and reliability.
The energy transition – in South Africa, Africa, and globally – entails an appropriate mix of energy generation sources, including gas, hydrogen power and renewables, in order to achieve the goals of energy security, decarbonisation and emission reduction, says energy technology company GE Vernova. Through its mission to contribute to accelerating the path to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, the company is making headway in helping businesses achieve net-zero goals using gas, hydrogen and alternative renewable resources for power generation.
Financial services firm Standard Bank and China National Building Materials International (CNBM) have concluded a R600-million sustainable finance solution. The strategic financial package, comprising a R500-million invoice financing facility and a R100-million working capital facility, is set to enable more South Africans to access affordable solar energy solutions, says Standard Bank China segment head for South Africa and core markets Lydia Zhang.
Global professional services firm BDO South Africa asserts that the imperative for businesses to expedite their environmental commitments remains crucial to promoting sustainable growth. The firm identifies carbon emissions, energy use and landfill waste as major contributors to the climate crisis, and is concerned that the crisis may have a significant effect on the agriculture sector, with extreme weather patterns and extended periods of drought affecting soil fertility.
The South African Independent Power Producer Association (SAIPPA) has added its voice to a growing chorus of opposition to the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023), the comment deadline for which is on March 23. In its formal comment on the draft, SAIPPA argues that the document is seriously flawed and inadequate to meet the energy challenges of South Africa.
Labour union the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has expressed its opposition to the changes in the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA). “This is a way to destroy Eskom and hand it over to the private companies the same way South African Airways and Transnet were destroyed,” the union avers in a statement.
Amid the compounding effects of loadshedding in South Africa and increasing concerns about climate change, appliance manufacturer Defy Appliances has launched its Solar Off-Grid fridge and freezer range to address local energy challenges and provide reliable ‘always-on’ refrigeration to ensure food preservation and, consequently, reduce food waste. Being the first of its kind in the market, the company says the Defy Solar Off-Grid represents a significant step forward in sustainable technology by offering a practical solution for households and businesses across the country.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has called on the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to recall and reworked the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023) and to then reissue a revised document for “meaningful” public consultation that includes public hearings. In its comment on the draft submitted to the DMRE ahead of the March 23 deadline, which was extended from an initial deadline of February 23, Outa said the draft IRP 2023 had reached “erroneous conclusions and observations”, owing to the inclusion of acknowledged errors and outdated technology costs.
In an excoriating assessment of the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023), Meridian Economics points to serious problems with the modelling and cost assumptions used by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), which the consultancy says has resulted in “incorrect and economically damaging conclusions”. Released days ahead of the March 23 deadline for public comment, Meridian described the IRP 2023 as an opaque document that fails to achieve its own stated purpose of ensuring a secure, affordable and clean power system.
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