Global professional services firm BDO South Africa asserts that the imperative for businesses to expedite their environmental commitments remains crucial to promoting sustainable growth. The firm identifies carbon emissions, energy use and landfill waste as major contributors to the climate crisis, and is concerned that the crisis may have a significant effect on the agriculture sector, with extreme weather patterns and extended periods of drought affecting soil fertility.
The South African Independent Power Producer Association (SAIPPA) has added its voice to a growing chorus of opposition to the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023), the comment deadline for which is on March 23. In its formal comment on the draft, SAIPPA argues that the document is seriously flawed and inadequate to meet the energy challenges of South Africa.
Labour union the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has expressed its opposition to the changes in the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA). “This is a way to destroy Eskom and hand it over to the private companies the same way South African Airways and Transnet were destroyed,” the union avers in a statement.
Amid the compounding effects of loadshedding in South Africa and increasing concerns about climate change, appliance manufacturer Defy Appliances has launched its Solar Off-Grid fridge and freezer range to address local energy challenges and provide reliable ‘always-on’ refrigeration to ensure food preservation and, consequently, reduce food waste. Being the first of its kind in the market, the company says the Defy Solar Off-Grid represents a significant step forward in sustainable technology by offering a practical solution for households and businesses across the country.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has called on the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to recall and reworked the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023) and to then reissue a revised document for “meaningful” public consultation that includes public hearings. In its comment on the draft submitted to the DMRE ahead of the March 23 deadline, which was extended from an initial deadline of February 23, Outa said the draft IRP 2023 had reached “erroneous conclusions and observations”, owing to the inclusion of acknowledged errors and outdated technology costs.
In an excoriating assessment of the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023), Meridian Economics points to serious problems with the modelling and cost assumptions used by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), which the consultancy says has resulted in “incorrect and economically damaging conclusions”. Released days ahead of the March 23 deadline for public comment, Meridian described the IRP 2023 as an opaque document that fails to achieve its own stated purpose of ensuring a secure, affordable and clean power system.
South Africa’s Energy Regulator has taken another set of decisions opening the way for the operationalisation of a separate grid company in South Africa ahead of the far-reaching legislative changes approved by the National Assembly last week. On March 11, the Energy Regulator consented to the transfer of powers and duties, from Eskom Holdings to the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), relating to power purchase agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) concluded in line with Section 34 of Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) of 2006.
The South African Wind Energy Association’s (SAWEA’s) formal response to the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023) questions both the modelling and assumptions used to determine the vastly diminished allocation for wind energy in the period to 2030 when compared with the prevailing plan. It will also call for an overhaul of the document, including its post-2030 Horizon Two, given the lack of transparency in the current version regarding the modelling constraints employed, as well as the embedded policy adjustments and their associated costs.
Solar power solutions company Sungrow has unveiled its three-phase inverter and battery energy solution in South Africa, featuring four inverter models and two battery options suited for both residential and commercial or industrial applications. For residential applications, the three-phase inverters come in three sizes: 6 kW, 10 kW and 25 kW. For commercial and industrial applications, the company now offers a 125 kWh string inverter.
South Africa moved a step closer toward creating a competitive electricity market after legislation that establishes the framework cleared another hurdle. The Electricity Regulation Act Amendment Bill, which will facilitate the opening of the national power grid to private generators, was approved by the National Assembly on Thursday. The bill provides for the creation of an independent transmission system operator, a precursor to the establishment of an electricity-trading platform.
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