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KfW approves R2.8bn Just Energy Transition Partnership concessional loan for Cape Town

German development bank KfW has approved a R2.8-billion concessional loan for the City of Cape Town, which will use the funding to strengthen its electricity infrastructure and integrate renewable-energy supply. The loan conditions were not disclosed, but the financial terms were described as “favourable”, as well as supportive of South Africa’s just energy transition.
February 27, 2025 by

Tharisa invests £1.5m in JV to develop low-emission natural gas catalysers for shipping industry

Newly formed joint venture (JV) Methanox has secured a £1.5-million investment from platinum group metals (PGMs) and chrome concentrates producer Tharisa towards accelerating methane emissions reductions from natural-gas-powered ships. The Methanox JV is the brainchild of London’s Queen Mary University renewable energy senior lecturer Dr Patrick Cullen and chemical engineering programme director Dr Paul Balcombe, along with University College London inorganic chemistry Professor Andrew Beale and London-based climate technology laboratory Prosemino.
February 27, 2025 by

Germany’s KfW to lend Cape Town €150m for green energy

Cape Town is set to accelerate its switch to green energy and limit reliance on erratic supply from the state power utility after winning a €150-million ($157-million) loan from Germany’s KfW Development Bank. The loan, which was agreed in December and will be announced this week at a ceremonial signing, will be used to bolster the power grid of South Africa’s second-biggest city to allow the transmission of more renewable energy, the bank said. It could also be used to help the municipality generate more of its own power, it added.
February 27, 2025 by

Trump ends US initiative to boost electricity access in Africa

A US initiative to increase electricity supply in Africa has been dismantled by the Trump administration after more than a decade of work, according to people familiar with the matter. Almost all of Power Africa’s programs have been listed for termination and the majority of its staff fired, said the people who asked not to be identified as they aren’t authorized to speak to the media. Some remaining programs, particularly those aimed at connecting projects with US companies, may be retained under other US agencies, they said.
February 26, 2025 by

Loadshedding suspended following recovery of generation capacity

Power utility Eskom suspended loadshedding at 05:00 on February 26, following the recovery of generation capacity and the replenishment of emergency reserves. “We maintain our guidance that loadshedding is largely behind us due to structural improvements in the generation fleet. Our focus remains on eliminating loadshedding as a structural constraint on the economy.
February 26, 2025 by

G20 energy work group set to meet amid divergence over just energy transition

The G20 Energy Transition Work Group will have its inaugural meeting this week to discuss the energy priorities that South Africa is seeking to place on the international agenda during its G20 presidency. Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has confirmed that the meeting will take place virtually on February 27 and 28 and will be attended by senior officials from all G20 countries, including a senior official from the US Department of Energy.
February 25, 2025 by

Futuregrowth agrees to R300m funding for Decentral Energy’s projects

South African energy solutions provider Decentral Energy has secured a R300-million funding commitment from specialist investment company Futuregrowth Asset Management.‍ The funding will enable Decentral Energy to accelerate the expansion of its integrated energy asset portfolio and to continue delivering sustainable energy to customers in the retail, tourism, agriculture, residential and commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors across the country.‍
February 25, 2025 by

Loadshedding downgraded to Stage 2

Power utility Eskom downgraded loadshedding to Stage 2 from 05:00 on Tuesday, from Stage 4 on Monday. This followed the successful recovery of eight out of ten generation units and the restoration of 3 808 MW from units that tripped over the weekend.
February 25, 2025 by