Vulindlela 2.0, green industrialisation, infrastructure at centre of GNU’s growth vision

A second round of economic reforms under Operation Vulindlela, together with green industrialisation and scaled-up infrastructure development have been placed at the centre of the Government of National Unity’s (GNU’s) agenda for driving inclusive growth and job creation, which President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined in his opening of Parliament address on Thursday night. Speaking 50 days after highly competitive elections where no single party secured an outright majority and days after the new members of the expanded executive met at a Cabinet lekgotla to agree on priorities for a GNU that includes ten political parties, Ramaphosa announced that inclusive economic growth had been placed at “the top of the national agenda”.
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Engie starts construction on 75 MW Grootspruit solar PV plant

Independent power producer Engie has broken ground on the construction of the 75 MW Grootspruit solar PV power plant, which is being built and will be operated in partnership with Pele Green Energy. Grootspruit, in the Free State, is one of two PV power plants to be built by Engie as part of Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
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Eskom makes shock objection to issuance of trading licences

Eskom has lodged a surprise objection to the issuance of licences to private traders in areas where its distribution entity currently holds a licence, arguing that the current rules of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) prohibit two or more licensees supplying the same area. The objection was made during virtual Nersa hearings being held to consider the granting of generation, trading, as well as import-export licences to various entities, including Discovery Green, CBi Electric Apollo, Green Electron Market and Africa GreenCo.
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350Africa! calls for urgent renewable-energy investment and policy support

International environmental movement 350Africa! said on Thursday that for Africa to realise a just transition to renewable energy, significant investment from financial institutions and developed nations is essential and urgent. 350Africa! senior Africa organiser Rukiya Khamis was speaking the launch of REPower Afrika, a movement aimed at uniting regional community renewable-energy projects to urge financiers and governments to prioritise and increase investments in affordable and clean energy. Khamis highlighted that African governments must create an enabling framework, enacting policies and regulations that facilitate the deployment of renewable energy and attract substantial investments. 350Africa! global campaigns director Agnes Appiah-Hall highlighted that the main barrier to renewable energy across Africa was finance. “For the sources of finance, we must turn to the rich countries and corporations that have exploited African countries for fossil fuels and have imposed huge amounts of historical debt to drive their own prosperity within rich nations, with no regard for the development or harmful impacts on communities within Africa itself,” she said.
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Treasury to sign agreements in transport and water sectors aimed at fast-tracking private investment

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana reports that the National Treasury is working on signing memoranda of agreement in the transport and water sectors with the goal of fast-tracking private sector participation. Delivering his Budget Vote, the Minister said that the agreements would be similar to the one that governs the Independent Power Producers Office (IPPO).
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Cape Town nets R36m in carbon credit auction

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced the successful auction of R36-million in carbon credits, generated by reducing gas emissions at city landfill sites via waste-to-energy initiatives. The funds will be ring-fenced for urban waste management projects aimed at reducing pollution and improving environmental health within the city.
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