Archive for month: January, 2025

Global natural gas markets reached an all-time high last year and are set to remain tight in 2025 despite an ongoing rebalancing following the supply shock of 2022/23, the International Energy Agency (IEA) states. In 2024, global gas demand rose by 2.8%, or 115-billion cubic metres, which was well above the 2% average growth rate between 2010 and 2020. At the same time, below-average growth in liquefied natural gas (LNG) output kept supply tight, while extreme weather events added to market strains.

Onshore wind energy company Nordex Group has appointed Robert Timmers as the new MD for Nordex Energy South Africa (NESA). He returns to South Africa after successfully leading Nordex Australia as MD and overseeing the supply and commissioning of a 1 GW wind farm project, which is the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere.

Eskom has appointed Exxaro’s Rivoningo Mnisi as its new group executive for renewables in line with the coal-dominant utility’s stated goal of becoming a “significant player” in the renewable energy sector. Group CEO Dan Marokane said in a statement that Mnisi would focus on the work already in progress for an executable initial pipeline of at least 2 GW of clean energy projects by 2026.

With local businesses and households consistently struggling with energy-related challenges, including rising electricity tariffs that are exerting financial pressure across the board, financial institution Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking executive head for energy, infrastructure and mining Deerosh Maharaj says urgent attention and innovative solutions are needed to ensure resilience and growth in the shifting energy landscape. Higher tariffs erode disposable income, limiting spending power and creating broader economic ripple effects, with the indirect consequences equally concerning, particularly the risk of job losses as businesses struggle to maintain profitability under rising operational costs.

South Africa’s renewable-energy ambitions face significant challenges as fiscal constraints, a persistent reliance on coal, and gaps in technological and workforce readiness slow progress, says electromechanical equipment manufacturer Actom group business development executive Mamiki Matlawa. Speaking on the energy outlook for 2025 and beyond, she emphasised that South Africa’s transition to cleaner energy hinges on innovative engineering, expanded international collaboration and a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of a growing renewables sector.