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South Africa urged to maximise short-term coal gains while accelerating long-term energy transition

A temporary global hesitation to embrace the energy transition, spurred on primarily by resistance to the idea by the US, may provide short-term advantages for corporates in sectors such as coal, South African Presidential Climate Commission climate finance and innovation head Dipak Patel said during the 2025 Coal & Energy Transition Day, in Johannesburg, on July 23. Speaking as part of a panel, he suggested that it would be unwise for companies not to make use of this period to capitalise on available opportunities.
July 24, 2025 by

Licensed electricity traders see Nersa rules process as opportunity to bolster certainty

Several licensed electricity traders canvassed by Engineering News have welcomed the decision by the regulator to initiate a process to finalise rules for domestic and cross-border trading and have also expressed an eagerness to participate in the process so that the outcome is fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) recently outlined a process and timeline for crafting a “fair and balanced framework for electricity traders”, with the intention of having the rules Gazetted by June next year.
July 24, 2025 by

Speakers outline Eskom’s transition approach

State-owned power utility Eskom has adopted a “forward-looking” strategy that is designed to tackle the current pressing challenges in the electricity sector, while positioning the entity as a resilient and competitive energy leader, Eskom strategy and sustainability group executive Nontokozo Hadebe outlined during an address at the 2025 Coal and Energy Transition Day on July 23. She pointed out that Eskom is systematically improving disciplined execution of maintenance, and has recently returned about 794 MW of capacity to service, with about a 96% availability for supply, and reduced loadshedding, thereby improving the energy availability and security in the country.
July 24, 2025 by

Eskom says standalone renewables unit could seek to tap market appetite for green electricity

Eskom group executive for strategy and sustainability Nontokoza Hadebe says the decision to establish a ‘GreenCo’ renewables business as a standalone subsidiary separated from Eskom Generation is to help facilitate partnerships, as well as to potentially tap the growing market appetite for green electricity. Speaking at Resources for Africa’s Coal & Energy Transition Day, Hadebe reiterated the State-owned utility’s aspiration to build 20 GW of renewable energy by 2035, 5 GW of which would arise from just energy transition-linked “repowering” initiatives at existing coal power station sites that are scheduled for decommissioning by 2030.
July 23, 2025 by

Nuclear Energy Agency highlights rapid progress in development of SMRs globally

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), which is an agency of the intergovernmental Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, has published the third edition of its “NEA Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Dashboard”. This shows that there has been notable progress in the development and deployment of SMRs around the world. “The overarching developments reflected in the “NEA SMR Dashboard” are clear: the strategic drivers for SMR deployment – rising electricity demand, including from data centres and expanding digital services, energy security imperatives and the national goals set by many countries to reduce carbon emissions – are intensifying,” reported NEA director-general William D Magwood IV. “SMRs are now a core part of the energy strategies in an increasing number of countries in all parts of the world.”
July 23, 2025 by

Six new solar projects selected and talks continue on eight more, including four wind projects

Six solar PV projects, with a combined capacity of 1 290 MW, have been named as preferred bidders following the seventh bid window (BW7) of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). All the projects are located in the Free State province and achieved competitive bid prices of between R499.99/MWh and R514.06/MWh.
July 23, 2025 by

Defy to invest an additional R500m in South Africa over next five years

South African home appliance manufacturer Defy will invest an additional R500-million in its local operations over the next five years, CEO Mustafa Soylu said on July 22. Speaking at an event at the company’s Midrand showroom that marked Defy’s 120-year anniversary, he said Defy had already invested more than R2.6-billion in its operations in the country over the past 15 years.
July 22, 2025 by

Ekurhuleni suspends fixed electricity tariff following protests

Acknowledging the protest action in Tembisa on July 21, in relation to the introduction of a fixed electricity tariff charge for the 2025/26 financial year, Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has resolved to suspend the implementation of the fixed electricity tariff charge of R126, including value-added tax (VAT), with immediate effect across the municipality. He says this decision is subject to urgent endorsement by the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipal council and will facilitate further structured public consultations.
July 22, 2025 by

Southern Sun signs 10-year renewables supply deal with Discovery Green for flagship resorts

Licensed electricity trader Discovery Green has signed a 10-year power purchase agreement with Southern Sun, under which more than 90% of the hospitality group’s consumption across seven flagship sites will be met from wheeled renewable energy. Southern Sun’s Arabella Hotel, Golf and Spa, Drakensberg Sun, Garden Court Morningside, Southern Sun Katherine Street, Southern Sun Sandton, Champagne Sports Resort, and Sabi River Sun Resort will be supplied from Discovery Green’s renewable portfolio, including Phase 2 of Red Rocket’s Overberg Wind Farm, which is currently under construction.
July 22, 2025 by