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China, South Africa to strengthen new energy investments, cooperation

China and South Africa will deepen cooperation, trade and investment in new energy technologies to help South Africa overcome its energy challenges and reignite its economic growth. During the China-South Africa New Energy Investment and Cooperation conference, held in Sandton, on June 13, South Africa’s ambassador to China Siyabonga Cwele emphasised that the countries had reached a consensus on several global issues, including green or sustainable development, the digital economy, the just energy transition, technology exchange and skills required for the future.
June 13, 2023 by

UK announces funding for the development of space-based solar power technologies

The UK Government has announced that it awarding funding of £4.3-million (about R100.66-million) to seven British universities and technology companies to develop technologies necessary to create a space-based solar power (SBSP) sector, to provide the country with green energy. Of the funding, £3.3-million (some R77.25-million) will be provided by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, while the rest will come from the UK Space Agency. SBSP would see large solar arrays deployed in space, generating electricity, which would then be transmitted down to Earth, using wireless (microwave) technology, in a safe manner, and introduced into terrestrial transmission grids. Space-based solar arrays would be in sunlight for 99% of the time.
June 13, 2023 by

Manufacturers, free trade can help to overcome Africa’s energy crisis

African manufacturers have a significant role to play in helping to remedy the continent’s energy crises by developing innovative solutions for energy storage and access. By creating products tailored to the needs of the African context, manufacturers can help reduce energy poverty, increase energy efficiency and spur economic growth. However, this depends on whether the right environment is created to help manufacturers expand operations and pursue cross-border investment opportunities, electromechanical equipment manufacturer Actom Group CEO and Manufacturing Circle chairperson Mervyn Naidoo says.
June 12, 2023 by

Presidency outlines criteria to be used before revising coal decommissioning schedule

The Presidency has moved to outline the criteria that will be used before any decision is made to delay the decommissioning of certain coal-fired power stations to take account of the prevailing supply deficit and has also dismissed suggestions that there is any plan to extend the life of the stations. Addressing the Presidential Planning Commission (PCC) on June 9, project management office head Rudi Dicks acknowledged that the decision to potentially revise the schedule had raised questions both domestically and with the International Partners Group that had agreed to provide $8.5-billion-worth of concessional finding to support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP).
June 9, 2023 by

City of Cape Town aims to reduce SSEG application turnaround times

The City of Cape Town aims to reduce the turnaround time of applications for small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) systems by allocating more resources to deal with the applications, switching to an online application system and simplifying the customer experience. With the big uptake in solar photovoltaic (PV) and batteries owing to loadshedding, there has also been an increase in fly-by-night operators. Many of these systems are not wired correctly or are inferior, contributing to the extended power outages the city is experiencing following load-shedding. The city wants to ensure customers are not negatively impacted, it said in a statement.
June 9, 2023 by

All-electric mixer launched, tested

Global innovative and sustainable building solutions developer Holcim tested an all-electric concrete mixer truck last month. The eMixer was officially presented to the industry at international trade fair bauma 2022, which was held at Neue Messe München in Germany.
June 9, 2023 by

Third parties to start selling electricity using Cape Town grid 

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced that 15 commercial electricity suppliers will start wheeling electricity through Cape Town’s grid in July.  The city’s Mayoral Committee has greenlit the project that will allow third parties to sell electricity using Cape Town’s grid infrastructure, as part of a long-term project to reduce the impact of Eskom loadshedding.
June 7, 2023 by

Top CEOs sign up to help tackle South Africa’s energy, transport and crime crises

CEOs from some of South Africa’s largest companies – including Sasol’s Fleetwood Grobler, Anglo American’s Nolitha Fakude, former Exxaro CEO Mxolisi Mgojo, Toyota South Africa’s Andrew Kirby, Remgro’s Jannie Durand, Sibanye-Stillwater’s Neal Froneman and Sanlam’s Paul Hanratty – have agreed to lead workstreams set up to support government in tackling the country’s prevailing crises in the energy and transport sectors, as well as debilitating levels of crime and corruption. Following a meeting between organised business and government on June 6, an agreement was reached to form a partnership to tackle the three issues, which have emerged as major obstacles to growth, development and job creation.
June 7, 2023 by