Entries by

Eskom chair Mpho Makwana says SA needs to decarbonise fast

As President Cyril Ramaphosa considers a proposal to extend the lifespan of some of South Africa’s coal-fired power plants, Eskom chairperson Mpho Makwana has said the country needs to decarbonise its economy rapidly. “We need real change in a short space of time to transform and decarbonise our energy sector, transportation sector, food systems, and built environments,” Makwana wrote in Nedbank’s 2022 annual report, published on Thursday.
April 21, 2023 by

Smart grid can mitigate system challenges

The integration of smart technology can ensure reliability and efficiency of the country’s electricity grid.  A smart grid system will be able to effectively manage challenges associated with current electricity distribution systems such as maintenance and breakdowns. The life span of electricity distribution networks has significantly been reduced, owing to a lack of investment in grid infrastructure, a lack of maintenance and a reactive approach to infrastructure asset management.
April 21, 2023 by

Smart grid offers benefits for all stakeholders

Implementing a smart grid system in South Africa offers a range of benefits for power generators, electric utilities, customers and society, says UP specialist energy industry consultant Dr Willem de Beer. He adds that a smart grid system can also alleviate many of the challenges municipalities encounter.
April 21, 2023 by

Energy storage a short-term solution

Energy storage, and how it can be integrated into the energy distribution mix and contribute to electricity stability in South Africa, needs to be considered as a short-term solution, says solar energy equipment supplier ZRW Mechanika MD Kamalluddien Parker. South Africa needs to consider mitigating short-term risks  while meeting medium- and long-term challenges to establish a just energy transition that benefits its citizens.
April 21, 2023 by

Heat exchanger for fuel cell systems launched

At centrifugal separation solutions provider Alfa Laval’s net-zero launch event in February this year, the company introduced the AlfaNova GL50, the first heat exchanger developed specifically for fuel cell systems. The company highlights that fuel cells will play a vital role in the global transition to green energy.
April 21, 2023 by

PCC underlines support for electricity reforms as govt mulls coal life extensions

Amid a likely proposal that Eskom be allowed to extend the life of certain coal power stations beyond the decommissioning dates outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan, the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), which is chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, reaffirmed its support for the broader reforms under way in the energy sector, as well as the Energy Action Plan (EAP). In a statement issued following a meeting that took place in Johannesburg on Thursday, the commission expressed particular support for the creation of an independent transmission company, as well as the lifting of the cap on embedded generation, and moves to incentivise rooftop solar generation.
April 20, 2023 by

World Bank proposes financing framework for developing countries’ energy transitions

International finance institution the World Bank has proposed a new framework to help develop a comprehensive financing approach for the energy transition. This comes as developing countries require an unprecedented transformation of power sector infrastructure, which includes scaling up of energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as phasing down of coal-fired power generation.
April 20, 2023 by

EWSETA launches women-focused renewable energy skills programme

The Energy & Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA), together with the Department of Higher Education and Training and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on April 19 launched a renewable energy skills development programme for 100 women. The Electrical Engineering Renewable Energy Specialisation Skills Development Programme is seeing 100 artisans in electrical engineering being upskilled in renewable energy, over a six-month period.
April 20, 2023 by

R400m energy fund launched to help finance backup power solutions for SMEs

Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financier Business Partners has launched a R400-million Energy Fund aimed at helping SMEs finance viable sources of alternative electricity and thereby keep them in business during loadshedding.

According to data published by the South African Reserve Bank, the accumulative loss business of Stage 6 loadshedding amounts to between R204-million and R900-million a day, with a portion of these losses incurred by thousands of small businesses that do not have the resources to install back-up sources of energy.

April 20, 2023 by

Outa calls on National Treasury to abandon Eskom exemption

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has submitted written comments to the National Treasury on its proposal to exempt State-owned utility Eskom from disclosing irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in its yearly financial statements for 2022/23 and the following two years. A Government Gazette notice granting the exemption from the relevant section of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury regulation was published on March 31; however, following public outcry, it was withdrawn on April 6 and replaced by a call for comments on a proposed exemption.
April 20, 2023 by