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Victorious Ramphosa’s tough task to revive South African economy

Cyril Ramaphosa fended off an impeachment inquiry and internal dissent in South Africa’s governing African National Congress to win re-election as its leader. Rebuilding support for the party ahead of a national vote scheduled for 2024 and tackling the nation’s multitude of socio-economic ills is likely to be even more arduous. The ANC is “increasingly becoming unpopular” and Ramaphosa’s most difficult tasks will be to re-inspire confidence in himself and the party, and to win support for measures needed to turn the country around, said Thabi Leoka, a Johannesburg-based economist.
December 19, 2022 by

Parliament welcomes army deployment at Eskom

The deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at four Eskom power stations has been welcomed by the chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, Sahlulele Luzipo.  News24 reported late on Saturday that a minimum of 10 soldiers would be deployed at each of the following power stations: Majuba, Camden, Grootvlei, and Tutuka.
December 18, 2022 by

Bumper green aluminium output is good news for carmakers, and climate

Aluminium makers are set to boost low-carbon metal output by 10% in 2023 and churn out even more in the years ahead, driving down the cost for carmakers seeking climate-friendly supplies and shrinking the industry’s hefty carbon footprint. Aluminium is the most energy-intensive metal to produce, accounting for about 1.1 billion tonnes of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year. Next year’s forecast increase in “green aluminium” output would reduce that by 13-million tonnes, or about 1.2%.
December 18, 2022 by

Gordhan describes Mantashe’s comments as ‘unfair and uncalled for’ as he praises outgoing …

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan responded with an “emphatic no” to a question as to whether government considered outgoing Eskom CEO André de Ruyter to be a traitor, as implied in a recent statement by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, who said “Eskom, by not attending to loadshedding, is actively agitating for the overthrow of the State”. Gordhan was speaking during a briefing convened by Eskom chairperson Mpho Makwana after De Ruyter’s resignation – submitted at 7:30 on Monday December 12, only days after Mantashe’s comments – was confirmed by Eskom on December 14, following a media leak.
December 15, 2022 by

Gordhan describes Mantashe’s traitor comments as ‘unfair and uncalled for’ as he praises …

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan responded with an “emphatic no” to a question as to whether government considered outgoing Eskom CEO André de Ruyter to be a traitor, as implied in a recent statement by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, who said “Eskom, by not attending to loadshedding, is actively agitating for the overthrow of the State”. Gordhan was speaking during a briefing convened by Eskom chairperson Mpho Makwana after De Ruyter’s resignation – submitted at 7:30 on Monday December 12, only days after Mantashe’s comments – was confirmed by Eskom on December 14, following a media leak.
December 15, 2022 by

Progress being made under Operation Vulindlela

The Presidency and the National Treasury on December 14 released a progress report on the implementation of economic reforms during the third quarter to mark two years since the establishment of Operation Vulindlela. Among the highlights were that six projects, totalling 784 MW, signed project agreements under Bid Window (BW) 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
December 15, 2022 by

Partnership formed to use Boliden’s low-carbon copper in ABB’s electric motors

Engineering company ABB is partnering with Swedish mining and smelting company Boliden to use low-carbon copper in the production of its electromagnetic stirring (EMS) equipment and high-efficiency electric motors.

The aim of the partnership – to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions while driving the transition to a more circular economy – forms an integral part of ABB’s strategic ambition to reduce the environmental impact of raw materials used in its products by replacing them with lower-carbon alternatives.

December 15, 2022 by

Globeleq signs debt funding for 35 MW Menengai geothermal project in Kenya

Private power company Globeleq has signed financing agreements with development finance institutions the African Development Bank (AfDB), Finnfund and the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB) for $72-million debt funding for the 35 MW Menengai geothermal project in Nakuru county, Kenya. Globeleq is providing equity, project development and construction management experience. Construction of the project is expected to start during the first quarter of 2023, once financial close has been reached.
December 15, 2022 by

Some relief as Eskom reduces loadshedding from Thursday

Stage 5 load shedding will be reduced to Stage 4 starting from 05:00 on Thursday morning until 05:00 on Sunday morning, Eskom announced on Wednesday evening. It added that Stage 3 load shedding would be implemented on Sunday. “Since Tuesday morning, a unit each at Camden, Kriel, Majuba, Matla and Duvha power stations were taken offline for repairs and planned maintenance. In addition, the delay in returning to service a generating unit each at Arnot, Duvha and Hendrina power stations has contributed to the capacity constraints,” a spokesperson said. “A generating unit each at Grootvlei, Camden, Kriel, Majuba power stations returned to service.”
December 14, 2022 by