Ramokgopa again moots policy interventions to provide relief from Eskom hike

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who is Eskom’s shareholder Minister, has reiterated his opposition to the utility receiving a 36.15% tariff hike next year, while also indicating that various policy interventions are being considered to reduce the increase. Speaking at a briefing in Pretoria that coincided with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) nationwide public hearings into Eskom’s sixth multiyear price determination (MYPD6) application, Ramokgopa expressed confidence that the hike would be “significantly” lower than what Eskom was requesting.
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VW Africa expands solar array at Kariega plant to more than 12 000 panels

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) has added an additional 3 MW solar power to its local grid, bringing the total output of renewable energy to 5.9 MW. This is enough energy to power at least 2 000 two-bedroom houses with geysers and electrical appliances.
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Remodelled draft IRP to be unveiled next week for limited public consultation

A remodelled Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity will be released to the public next week and is expected to deviate materially from the heavily criticised draft IRP2023, which was published for public comment in January. Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says the revamped document has taken account of changes in the electricity supply industry since the publication of the draft IRP2023, as well as the 4 338 stakeholder comments received on the document, including 136 “substantive” comments.
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Group of nations make COP29 pledge on no new unabated coal power

A total of 25 countries and the EU are pledging to commit to no new unabated coal power in their next round of national climate plans, the latest global pledge aimed at curbing use of the fuel. Signatories to the agreement, outlined during the ongoing COP29 climate talks in Baku, include Canada, the UK and Germany, according to a statement published Wednesday. China and India, the world’s largest coal consuming nations, aren’t among backers so far, and neither is the US.
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Zimbabwe power tariff hike sparks 3 000 MW of energy investments

Zimbabwe’s decision to adopt tariffs that reflect costs has sparked a wave of investments in the energy sector that will help ease its power crisis. Since the switch in December last year, energy investments have sharply increased with 3 000 MW of projects currently under development, according to Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority chairperson Sydney Gata.
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Namibia aims to raise $450m to boost power generation

Namibia’s state-owned electricity utility plans to raise $450-million by selling bonds in the country and raising development bank loans to help the southwest African nation boost power generation. Namibia Power Corp. said it has signed loan agreements totaling €166-million ($175-million) with KfW and Agence Francaise de Developpement, the development banks of Germany and France, and is working on a loan of an unspecified size from the World Bank.
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