Investment company on track to meet net-zero energy goals

As part of its ambition to achieve Landlord Scope 1 and 2 Net-Zero Carbon by 2030 as well as implement sustainable practices, property investment company Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) has successfully implemented portfolio-wide energy management improvements, says sustainability lead specialist Brian Unsted. With this in mind, the company boasts total installed solar capacity of 13 MW across its portfolio, compared to 3 MW in 2022. The company also met its 2023 target of sourcing 3% of its portfolio’s energy baseload from renewable-energy sources, achieved through implementing onsite solar energy production.
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Competitive energy sector drives innovation

The competitive landscape for utility-scale renewable energy has significantly changed over the past decade, with developers driving more aggressive funding terms to remain competitive, says financial institution Standard Bank power head Rentia van Tonder. The shift in the competitive landscape has resulted in more investors and developers competing for projects. Therefore, financing solutions need to be innovative, consequently forcing financiers to consider different risk allocations as the market matures and be more adaptable to change, she explains.
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Emerging solar tech crucial in energy mix

Solar power integration, through PV, concentrated solar power (CSP) technology in specific applications, and hybrid solutions including battery energy storage systems (BESS), is crucial in South Africa’s energy mix as global energy demands continue to rise, says independent power producer (IPP) ENGIE South Africa engineering head Seshni Naidoo. She emphasises that solar energy is crucial in ensuring a sustainable, secure and affordable energy supply for South Africa while complementing other renewable and conventional energy sources.
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EU targets carbon emissions through import tariff

The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), set to come into effect in 2026, is poised to drive companies exporting to the EU to rethink their energy strategies and adopt renewable-energy solutions, such as solar power, says solar installation specialist Solana Energy business development lead Ahmed Motara. “The CBAM is an innovative policy tool designed by the EU to address carbon leakage and support the EU’s ambitious climate goals.”
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Cybersecurity crucial for companies embracing solar

As more companies integrate solar energy systems to meet their power needs, it is essential that they invest in cyber-secure technologies to protect against cyberthreats and ensure continuous power, says.solar technology specialists SolarEdge Technologies cybersecurity programme director Uri Sadot. The integration of solar energy systems, specifically unsecured inverters, can expose companies to cybersecurity vulnerabilities such as ransomware attacks, data breaches and remote control by cybercriminals.
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Financial savings displacing loadshedding as main driver of residential solar market

The South African market drivers for residential, commercial and industrial solar PV and battery installations have started shifting towards cost savings from security of supply as loadshedding wanes, GoSolar CEO Andrew Middleton asserts. Although installations in 2024 are likely to be well below the 2.6 GW installed during the height of the country’s loadshedding crisis last year, the subscription home solar and battery company still expects about 1 GW of small-scale PV to be installed this year.
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French green energy finance group has invested in South African solar energy company

France-based global sustainable investment and asset management group Mirova has announced that it is making its first investment in South Africa, a $15-million long-term debt financing arrangement with South African renewable energy development company and independent power producer SolarAfrica Energy. “We are very excited to enter the South African market and to support SolarAfrica, a major and well-respected player, in its ongoing development,” affirmed Mirova Investments deputy head Rim Azirar. “This investment is perfectly in line with our investment strategy dedicated to energy transition in emerging markets, using blended finance to help increase access to reliable and affordable energy in Africa.”
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Rebranded WEG committed to supporting customers meet their sustainability goals

Electrical equipment manufacturer WEG has worked for a year to internally evolve its brand, rebranding from Zest WEG to WEG, and with this comes an increased focus on sustainability. WEG has established its presence in Africa over four decades under the Brazil-headquartered Zest WEG brand.
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Eskom says it may apply for second Koeberg extension

Eskom has confirmed that it is likely to apply for a licence to operate the Koeberg nuclear power station, in the Western Cape, beyond the 20-year envelope that it has secured for Unit 1 and is optimistic of also securing for Unit 2. In a response to a question posed about the long-term future of the power station, chief nuclear officer Keith Featherstone told the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy that it would make sense to seek a further extension to the two licences if the assets remained in a condition to continue operating for longer.
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DMRE moving with pace on new nuclear determination as technoeconomic questions mount

South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) expects to finalise nuclear-procurement consultations in the coming two to three months before approaching the regulator for its concurrence with a new Ministerial determination for the procurement of 2 500 MW of new nuclear capacity. Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa withdrew the Section 34 Ministerial determination he Gazetted in January ahead of a court hearing into whether the correct procedures had been followed prior to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) concurrence with the determination.
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