South Africa should focus its efforts on defining the role of gas in its economy over the next ten years and then implement projects on that basis as a stepping stone that will provide greater clarity on the role of gas in the economy up to 2050, energy sector advocacy organisation, Energy Council of South Africa CEO James Mackay says. “To project what our energy mix will look like in 2050 requires a crystal ball. As the Energy Council, we have said that we should focus on the next ten years. Once we get through this and, as part of the energy transition, we will be well positioned for 2050,” he said during the ‘Gas: Unpacking the gas projects, policies and infrastructure needed to avoid the supply crunch’ webinar hosted by Creamer Media on April 9.
The eight B20 South Africa task forces set up to make business-led policy proposals for consideration at the G20 Summit in November aim to finalise their recommendations by September. The B20 is the official G20 dialogue forum for the global business community and is being convened by South Africa in 2025 under the leadership of Business Unity South Africa.
A new Green Cape report is forecasting that 6 GW of new private solar PV and 3.5 GW of new private wind capacity will be installed in South Africa by 2030, involving total investments of R132-billion. This, despite serious grid constraints and uncertainty over the future of public procurement, which led the authors to exclude from their estimate any new capacity arising from government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) over the period.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced a record infrastructure investment of R39.7-billion over three years as part of the metro’s proposed ‘Invested in Hope’ Budget 2025/26. He says the investment will create more than 130 000 construction-related jobs.
In yet another step towards clearing the path for South Africa’s inaugural procurement of independent transmission projects (ITPs), draft regulations have been published for a 30-day public comment period. Their release follows a Ministerial determination by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa opening the way for the procurement of the first phase of the ITPs, involving 1 164 km of 400 kV powerlines and 2 630 MVA of transformers across seven projects in three provinces.
Alternative investment funds and co-investment platforms manager and adviser Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management says it is seeing strong growth in renewable energy in South Africa and that it is aiming to grow its portfolio further. Westbrooke has closed its 2025 Westbrooke Renewable Energy Alternatives (Westbrooke Real) investment strategy, which invests in sustainable energy solutions.
Energy storage solutions provider SAJ is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, marking two decades of innovation and growth in the renewable energy sector. At Solar & Storage Live Africa 2025, held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, SAJ CEO Samil Ouyang reflected on the company’s journey and future vision. Since its founding, SAJ has been driven by a commitment to technological advancement and sustainable energy solutions. With a global footprint, the company’s close collaboration with international markets has shaped its approach to product development, ensuring tailored solutions for diverse energy needs.
Renewable-energy company EDF Renewables has commissioned South Africa’s first main transmission substation built by an independent power producer (IPP), in the Northern Cape. The Koruson 400/132 kV substation outside Noupoort has been designed and built to connect 1.5 GW of renewable energy to the national grid.
Drip irrigation has long been a trusted sugarcane irrigation method, with the obvious advantages being reduced resource use and higher yields. However, sugarcane farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have emphasised that the greatest benefits extend beyond the traditional goal of growing more with less. Lower electricity use and reduced labour requirements have emerged as key benefits following discussions with these farmers, says precision irrigation equipment manufacturer Netafim.
The world’s coal-fired power fleet inched up by 18.8 GW in 2024, its lowest rise in two decades, but new additions in China and India continued to offset closures elsewhere, data from US think tank Global Energy Monitor showed on Thursday. Despite a record surge in renewables, 44 GW of new coal power was commissioned by 12 countries last year, higher than the 25.2 GW of retirements, GEM’s annual coal plant tracker report said.
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