Retail giant the Shoprite Group has powered up its 100th solar photovoltaic (PV) system, more than ten years after launching its first solar project in 2015.  With an installed capacity of more than 43 300 kWp, the company says it solar portfolio ranks among the largest of any South African private company. 
Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has reiterated that the cost of the solution being pursued to salvage South Africa’s ferrochrome smelters, most of which have been closed on the back of surging electricity tariffs, cannot be subsidised by other consumers. Speaking to Radio 702 from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Ramokgopa confirmed that he was meeting with some global mining CEOs on a proposed solution, which had already been canvassed with domestic CEOs and labour leaders.
Eskom has offered an assurance that there is no risk of loadshedding, after it confirmed that the two units at Koeberg nuclear power station are being operated at reduced power due to a line fault from the Pinotage transmission substation. It has also given the assurance the the station is operating safely and securely, and that all regulatory and operational protocols are being followed.
Power utility Eskom reported on January 20 that both units at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, in the Western Cape, were safely reduced from full power to 100 MW each earlier in the day following a fault on the 132 kV transmission lines supplied from the Pinotage transmission substation near Stellenbosch. It stated this was an expected response under such circumstances, designed to protect the integrity of the power station and the national grid.