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JUWI to operate 85 MW solar park in South Africa

Renewable energy group JUWI Renewable Energies has taken over the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the 85 MW De Aar 1 solar farm, which is located 500 km north of the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The solar farm, the third largest under management by JUWI in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea) region, was developed under Bid Window 1 of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
September 7, 2022 by

‘Disappointing’ drop in BCI not a signal of protracted recession despite GDP contraction

The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) fell from 42 to 39 in the third quarter, with 61% of the 1 200 senior executives surveyed in August unsatisfied with prevailing business conditions. Confidence among retailers and wholesalers remained comparatively high, while a notable improvement in sentiment among new vehicle dealers partly offset a 17-point deterioration in building confidence.
September 7, 2022 by

Hydrogen key part of green economy, but as part of diversified energy ecosystem

While hydrogen is expected to become a key element of the green economy worldwide, owing to the need to significantly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to limit climate change within a short space of time, it is expected to be part of a diversified energy ecosystem.  There are applications for hydrogen in many sectors, but the sectors that have historically used hydrogen are expected to lead in its adoption, followed by other critical uses, air and gas handling products company Howden Renewable Hydrogen global market director Salah Mahdy said on September 6. 
September 7, 2022 by

Struggles to implement projects holding back South Africa’s green hydrogen plans

Despite South Africa’s significant potential to become a major global player in green hydrogen production, platinum group metals producer Anglo American Platinum CEO Natascha Viljoen has voiced concern over how the country’s significant social and political challenges are undermining the ability to get hydrogen projects off the ground.  “If we consider everything that is required for us to build capital projects, to have access to land, to deliver on these projects, crime and corruption and our ability generate the skills are concerns,” she said during the second yearly Hydrogen Economy Discussion conference, held in Johannesburg on September 6. 
September 7, 2022 by

Stage 2 load-shedding all week until Saturday

Stage 2 load-shedding will be rolled out from 16:00 until 22:00 on Tuesday night and will continue daily from 05:00 until 22:00 until Saturday, Eskom said in a statement on Tuesday.  The power utility has been hit by breakdowns as well as delays returning units to service. Units at Arnot, Duvha, Kendal, Medupi and Tutuka have all broken down, and there have been delays in repairs at Hendrina. On Saturday, a unit at Koeberg tripped and it has not yet been returned to service. 
September 6, 2022 by

TNPA secures board approval for big expansions at Durban, Richards Bay ports

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) board has approved plans that open the way for various expansions at the Durban and Richards Bay ports, including a new berth for handling liquified natural gas (LNG) at the Port of Richards Bay. TNPA, which has been established as an independent subsidiary of Transnet, says the expansions form part of the R100-billion KwaZulu-Natal Logistics Hub Programme.
September 6, 2022 by