Grid and regulatory hurdles stand in way of Ramokgopa’s ‘ultra-aggressive’ renewables vision

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says that government would like to be “ultra-aggressive” in the roll-out of new renewable energy, which he describes as the “future”. However, key structural constraints, including those relating to grid capacity and regulation, had to be cleared to increase the pace of deployment and to ensure that the credibility of the public procurement process in particular was restored.
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Hybrid solar PV, battery system to halve Penflex’ reliance on grid power

South African stationery and plastic products manufacturer Penflex will install a hybrid solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS), which will halve its demand for electricity generated by State-owned Eskom and sustainably cut down on its biggest expense. The impact of the sustainable renewable-energy solution will help to secure the livelihoods of the families of its 300 employees and significantly reduce losses caused by wastage resulting from loadshedding, the company says.
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