While the new climate finance goal of $300-billion a year from developed nations to support developing nations’ energy transition by 2035, and the aim to mobilise an additional $1.3-trillion a year from other finance sources, both agreed to at the twenty-ninth Conference of the Parties (COP29), are positive, they are far below the estimated $3-trillion a year needed to achieve climate goals, said industry analysis and forecasting company BMI. In reviewing the implications of the agreements and delays at COP29, the company pointed out that the $ 300-billion-a-year pledge, when inflation was taken into account, represented only about a doubling of support for climate actions in developing nations.
A total of 33 bids have been submitted for South Africa’s latest bidding round for 616 MW/2 464 MWh of utility-scale battery storage capacity that is being procured across five pre-selected substation sites in the Free State. A submission deadline for what is the country’s third bid window for the technology was initially set for July 31, but was later revised to November 28.
Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the intense set of consultations on an updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity held by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy this week; the big themes that have emerged as part of the processing of updating the IRP; the response, thus far, to the updated IRP; and what will happen next.
The electricity minus carbon dioxide, or e-co2 (pronounced eco-two), green energy benefit scheme, introduced by real estate investment trust Growthpoint Properties, is driving a shift towards renewable energy and improved energy efficiency in South Africa’s real estate sector, says Growthpoint corporate advisory head Werner van Antwerpen. The eco-two initiative provides tenants with direct access to green energy, helping them achieve sustainability goals while enjoying cost savings.
Global mining consultancy SRK Consulting lauds the significant efforts aimed at reducing the environmental hurdles for lower sensitivity renewable-energy projects. In a significant move to support the development of renewable energy, South Africa last month adopted new norms to simplify and speed up the authorisation process for solar PV facilities and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
National industry support programme The National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) emphasises that more concerted efforts must be taken to help industries become more resource-efficient, environmentally responsible and competitive in the global market. It stresses the importance of promoting resource efficiency and cleaner production practices that minimise resource use, reduce waste and lower emissions in industrial processes.
Independent power producer Pele Green Energy (PGE) has reached financial close of the 100 MW Sonvanger solar PV power plant that will provide clean, reliable and sustainable for the Glencore Merafe Venture’s ferrochrome smelters in the Free State province. PGE is the lead sponsor of the Sonvanger plant, which is is located 4 km southwest of Theunissen in the Masilonyana local municipality.
South African National Energy Development Institute CEO Dr Titus Mathe has confirmed that a report containing a remodelled Integrated Resource Plan for 2024 (IRP2024) and incorporating stakeholder comments will be released into the public domain before it is sent to Cabinet for its approval by end-March. Mathe is chairing a committee set up to oversee a review of the much-criticised draft IRP2023.
Oil and gas company Shell South Africa’s Alberton depot is pursuing sustainability through two projects, mainly, solar and battery power, and capacitation for biofuels, the company outlined during a media tour of the facility this week. The Alberton depot is a storage and handling terminal for petrol, diesel, and some additives. Employees range between 60 and 100, depending on any project work that is on site, Shell Alberton terminal manager Fikile Nxumalo told Engineering News.
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramakgopa is confident that regulations permitting private sector players to participate in the electricity transmission space will be finalised by the first quarter of next year. Speaking at the Matla-Urja Energy Conference, in Johannesburg, on November 28, he said these electricity reforms were important to redefine the future energy landscape in the country.
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