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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South Africa rail, power revamp hinges on ending cable theft

The recovery of South Africa’s two biggest State-owned companies — beset by years of corruption and theft — relies on one common component: protecting thousands of miles of cables from theft and rolling out more. Both freight-rail operator Transnet and power utility Eskom battle to hang onto lines that typically contain copper and which criminals steal and sell as scrap.
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Sasol confirms refinements being made to emissions reduction pathway

Energy and chemicals group Sasol has reiterated that its target to reduce its greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 30% by 2030 remains in place, but has also confirmed that it is refining its “pathways” towards meeting that goal. In a note to shareholders, the JSE-listed group indicated that these refinements might involve “shifts in feedstock, energy and products to support our pathway towards being more sustainable”.
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Germany seeks clarity on South Africa’s coal-closure slowdown

Germany’s climate envoy said her country is seeking clarity on South Africa’s plans to slow down the closure of its coal-fired power plants and alter the terms of a landmark climate-finance pact. The European nation is a founding member of the $9.3-billion agreement, known as the Just Energy Transition Partnership, under which some of the world’s richest nations will give South Africa loans and grants on condition it cuts dependence on coal.
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