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Is it possible to convert old coal mines into successful farms?

The rehabilitation of South Africa’s closed coal mines has long been a source of contention among miners, environmental activists and affected communities. Numerous old mines were not rehabilitated at all, while many others were rehabilitated to within only the bare minimum requirements of the law, leaving the land looking restored but, ultimately, not suitable for the growing of crops, owing to the plethora of toxic chemicals and metals that remain in the soil and water.
June 24, 2022 by

Right decisons key in green transitioning

“South Africa’s drive towards a just energy transition and net zero carbon emissions should be seen as a great opportunity, rather than a cumbersome task. While the transition is sure to be a challenge, it doesn’t have to be a headache if the right decisions are made, backed by the right technology,” states solar energy company Valsa Trading MD Svilen Voychev. “Valsa has been operating for 12 years, and we have learnt much about the needs and nuances of the South African market. I look forward to engaging with fellow solar photovoltaic (PV) enthusiasts at Solar Power Africa, to share what I have learned,” says Voychev.
June 24, 2022 by

Eskom confirms 18 renewable energy bid winners for land leases in Mpumalanga

State-owned utility Eskom has confirmed to Engineering News on June 23 that 18 companies have been selected from the bids received for the lease of Eskom-owned land in Mpumalanga, which has been earmarked for independently developed renewable energy generation projects. At this stage, no contracts have been signed because the companies that have been selected must first obtain environmental-impact assessment approval.
June 23, 2022 by

Cabinet encourages more S Africans to vaccinate as it ends mask mandate

Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said on Thursday that while Cabinet welcomed a significant drop in Covid-19 cases in the country, it is urging more South Africans to vaccinate against the virus, as South Africa joins the many countries that have done away with mask wearing.   Joining Gungubele at a media briefing was Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, who gave an update on the late night gazette which saw government repeal major Covid-19 regulations on mask-wearing, gathering limits and travel requirements.
June 23, 2022 by

Eskom says workers protest at some plants

Tensions are rising at Eskom, with the struggling South African electricity supplier confirming protests at a number of power plants following a breakdown in wage negotiations. Groups at six coal-fired stations “have blocked roads leading to some of the power stations, which hampers the movement of people and goods into or outside of the facilities,” spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said in a text message on Thursday. “While some incidents of intimidation have been reported, the protesters are largely peaceful at this stage.”
June 23, 2022 by

Bushveld upbeat about VRFB future as subsidiary secures funding for Vametco hybrid mini-grid

Integrated primary vanadium producer and energy storage solutions provider Bushveld Minerals has secured funding for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the R113-million Vametco hybrid mini-grid, which is owned by Bushveld Minerals’ 84%-owned energy subsidiary, Bushveld Energy. Bushveld Energy has completed the development and achieved financial close for a 3.5 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plus a 1 MW/4 MWh vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) hybrid mini-grid project for Vametco, which will operate as a funded independent power producer (IPP).
June 23, 2022 by

JETP may see energy projects initiated before November

Some of the critical projects to be implemented over the short-term under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between South Africa and various other countries, including the US and the UK, may start before the next United Nations (UN) Climate Change conference, or COP27, early in November, confirmed Presidential Climate Finance Task Team (PCFTT) head Daniel Mminele on June 22.

He hosted a media briefing alongside the UK’s COP26 envoy and International Partners Group chairperson John Murton to update stakeholders on where the JETP stands.

June 22, 2022 by

Eskom set to host first roundtable with energy experts as load-shedding is extended

Eskom CEO André de Ryuter reports that the utility will host its first roundtable with local and international energy experts on Friday June 24 to discuss solutions to the country’s electricity crisis and ongoing load-shedding. Speaking during a briefing to explain a decision to extend rotational power cuts, owing to a combination of coal plant breakdowns, delays in returning Koeberg Unit 2 to service, as well as a need to replenish diesel stocks at the open-cycle gas turbines and pump water into the upper dams at its pumped storage facilities, De Ruyter stressed that Eskom had no role in crafting energy policy.
June 22, 2022 by