A tariff review by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) of input materials and components used in wind, solar PV and battery storage facilities could have far-reaching implications for the renewables sector and electricity consumers. In a Gazette notice, Itac indicates that it will review 82 tariff codes for inputs and materials used in the renewables and storage value chains, including everything from solar panels and generators for wind turbines, to lithium-ion batteries, aluminium and steel structures and even screws, bolts and nuts used in renewables installations.
Wind energy company Nordex Energy South Africa has confirmed the market readiness of the N175/6.X, which the company says is its most powerful onshore wind turbine so far. This follows the Nordex Group’s successful installation of the turbine on its in-house developed hybrid concrete-steel tower in Santow, Germany, earlier this year.
State-owned electricity producer Eskom has unveiled details of a R321.72-billion capital expenditure (capex) plan for the coming five years, which includes plans for a material rise in grid-related investment, alongside new renewables and gas-to-power projects. In a presentation of its corporate plan to the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, Eskom indicated that R133-billion, or 41.2%, of its capital budget for the 2026 to 2030 financial years would be spent by the National Transmission Company (NTCSA).
A flurry of meetings between Saudi Arabia and South Africa over the past year has culminated in discussions about or signed deals worth billions of dollars into Africa’s most industrialized country — and more corporate action is in the pipeline. The rush of deal-making is part of a broader Gulf drive into Africa, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in particular investing in mining, renewable energy and agriculture.
Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the changes in the local wind sector in recent years, the local and global outlook for the wind sector and the targets set by the newly separated Department of Electricity and Energy.
US president Donald Trump’s re-election represents a pivotal moment for Africa’s fossil fuel industry, energy advocacy group African Energy Chamber (AEC) said earlier this year. The Trump administration’s swift reapproval of a $4.7-billion loan from the US Export-Import Bank for TotalEnergies’ liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique set the tone for what could be a “transformative era” for Africa’s energy sector.
Not only does financial services provider Standard Bank prioritise renewable energy as part of its sustainable finance mobilisation targets, it also supports a broader range of activities that contribute to the decarbonisation of Africa’s economies. As such the bank continues to finance new oil and gas projects, provided they are designed and implemented with robust environmental and social risk controls.
The newly separated Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE) has outlined its vision and mission to lawmakers, listing among its priorities for the coming five years the procurement of 20 GW of new renewables capacity and the addition of 5 044 km of new powerlines. The department previously operated under the umbrella of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, but from April 1 began operating separately from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2024 proclamation to again separate the two departments.
The growing role of the private offtaker market in stimulating the South African wind sector has been highlighted in the latest ‘Global Wind Report’, which has been released by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). In a section on South Africa, authored by the South African Wind Energy Association, the report notes that at least 15 private offtake projects totalling 1 943 MW have been announced following the market reforms of 2022 enabling renewables projects of any size to proceed without a licence.
A new survey of 1 477 business executives from 15 countries, including South Africa, indicates that corporates now overwhelmingly view the transition from fossil fuels to renewable electricity as key to their future competitiveness, as well as a driver of investment decision-making. Commissioned by E3G, Beyond Fossil Fuels and We Mean Business Coalition, and conducted by research and advisory company Savanta, the poll also highlights that countries risk losing investment and jobs should their government’s fail to outline policies that signal their intention to transition to renewables.
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