Longer-term demand-side support needed to realise universal electricity access in Africa – IEA

African countries need $150-billion of investment to realise universal electricity access by 2035, which equals $15-billion of investment every year; however, less than $2.5-billion was committed for electricity access connections in sub-Saharan Africa in 2023.

This insufficient capital is a key obstacle to expanding electricity access to the 600-million people who are without it on the continent, the International Energy Agency (IEA) states in a new report titled ‘Financing Electricity Access in Africa’.

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SAPVIA calls for immediate implementation of IRP2025

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) has called for the immediate implementation of the Integrated Resource Plan 2025 (IRP 2025), which it says recognises solar PV as a cornerstone of the energy transition. While the final document is yet to be released, Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa provided some details on October 19, including an indication that the plan envisaged 25 000 MW of new solar PV being installed by 2039.
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Eskom welcomes IRP 2025 as a clear investment roadmap

State-owned utility Eskom has expressed support for the launch of South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025, which it said aims to balance energy security, affordability, environmental sustainability and socioeconomic priorities in the country’s transition from high-carbon to low-carbon energy sources. The IRP 2025 sets out a framework for electricity supply intended to accelerate economic growth and inclusion, in a context where South Africa’s overall unemployment is 30% and youth unemployment exceeds 50%.
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Growthpoint acquires 30% stake in hydroelectric plant, secures exclusive access through Etana PPA

JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties has acquired a 30% stake in independent power producer Serengeti Energy’s operational Boston Hydro plant near Clarens, in the Free State. The plant is a new R390-million development with an operational lifespan of over 40 years.
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Industrial gas users welcome demand certainty created by IRP, but warn that supply questions linger

The Industrial Gas Users Association of Southern Africa (IGUA-SA) has welcomed the focus given to gas in the Integrated Resource Plan 2025 (IRP 2025), but executive officer Jaco Human says critical supply-side questions will still have to be answered if the impending gas supply cliff is to be averted. Describing as a significant shift the plan’s target of raising the share of gas in the electricity generation mix to 11% by 2039, or to 16 000 MW from close to zero currently, Human said IGUA-SA wholeheartedly welcomed the “strategic pivot towards gas”.
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Investment firms partner to launch R150m smart utilities, infrastructure initiative

Real estate investment and fund manager ALT Capital Partners, through its REimagine Fund 1, has formed a strategic partnership with the investment holding company New GX Capital funded Airnergize Ventures, which focuses on early-stage and scalable disruptive utilities management businesses. Its first investment is into Bolide, which is an integrated utilities brand designed to bridge the utilities service divide, thereby assisting businesses and body corporates to spend less for cleaner and sustainable funded utilities.
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