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DMRE confirms yet another extension for delayed IPP projects

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has confirmed that the deadline for outstanding projects named as preferred bids under both the risk mitigation and bid window five (BW5) of the renewables programme have been given yet another extension beyond the October 31 deadline communicated previously. In response to questions posed by Engineering News regarding the status of the projects and whether the bid bonds had been called, the department said it had received representations from the remaining 22 preferred bidders under BW5, as well as the eight preferred bidders selected under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) regarding their readiness to sign the necessary agreements.
November 7, 2022 by

Scatec aligns to green standards on Northern Cape project

Engineers from renewables company Scatec have started work on a large project in the Northern Cape, which forms part of the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP). Once operational, the project will have a total solar capacity of 540 MW and battery storage capacity of 225 MW/ 1 140 MWh, and provide 150 MW of dispatchable power under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
November 7, 2022 by

IAEA says Morocco’s nuclear emergency response capability is solid; suggests refinements

An expert review team of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Morocco has considerable capability regarding its emergency response and preparedness (EPR) for nuclear emergencies. The team completed its Emergency Preparedness Review (EPREV) mission late last week. The IAEA review mission was sent to Morocco at the invitation of the country’s government. Hosted by the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (abbreviated to AMSSNuR in French), the team was composed of six members, from Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Sudan, the US and the IAEA itself. The mission leader was Health Canada Environmental and Radiation Health Services director-general Brian Ahier.
November 7, 2022 by

Accelerating replacement generation rather than 75% EAF should be main Eskom performance measure

Setting a recovery in Eskom’s energy availability factor (EAF) to 75% as a key performance indicator (KPI) for the board and the executive is not only open to manipulation but is also the wrong measure in a context where the undermaintained coal fleet no longer offers the cheapest and quickest way out of loadshedding. In fact, energy analyst Clyde Mallinson, who has done extensive modelling of the coal fleet’s performance using Eskom data, argues that sticking with this KPI will “set Eskom up for failure” and will stymie the transition to an electricity supply industry that is able to provide reliable and affordable power for all South Africans, rather than the current trajectory that points to price and supply “bifurcation”.
November 7, 2022 by

$8.5bn ‘catalytic’ but insufficient to deliver $99bn Just Energy Transition Investment Plan

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the $8.5-bilion (R128-billion) in concessional climate financing on offer from various developed countries to South Africa will play a “catalytic” role in supporting the implementation of the country’s larger $99-billion (R1.5-trillion) Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP) over the coming five years. However, far more domestic and international funding is required, and the composition of that funding will also need to be more grant-heavy if the just components of the transition are to be realised. Releasing the JET IP for public comment only two days before the start of the COP27 climate talks in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Ramaphosa said that South Africa would continue to “agitate” for additional climate funding and more grant funding, including from the initial Just Energy Transition Partnership, or JETP, participants of France, Germany, the UK, the US and the European Union.
November 5, 2022 by

Expect loadshedding all weekend

Stage 1 loadshedding will continue to be implemented daily from 05:00 to 16:00 until Sunday, Eskom said on Friday. Meanwhile, Stage 2 loadshedding will also continue to be implemented daily at 16:00 to 05:00 until Monday.
November 4, 2022 by

Expect loadshedding all weekend

Stage 1 loadshedding will continue to be implemented daily from 05:00 to 16:00 until Sunday, Eskom said on Friday. Meanwhile, Stage 2 loadshedding will also continue to be implemented daily at 16:00 to 05:00 until Monday.
November 4, 2022 by

CSIR solar PV testing lab ensuring quality standards for industry

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR’s) solar photovoltaic (PV) module testing laboratory, built on site at its campus, in Pretoria, boasts equipment, expertise and capacity to undertake accelerated reliability stress testing on PV modules to ensure their quality and reliability. The South African National Accreditation System-accredited lab is able to undertake 16 testing methods.  
November 4, 2022 by

Repowering and repurposing Komati

Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the $497-million loan extended to South Africa for the repowering and repurposing of the Komati power station; the main elements of the repowering and repurposing project; and whether this is the start of a funding trend for South Africa’s energy transition.
November 4, 2022 by