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Earth & Wire targets Eastern Cape for first long-duration storage roll-out

Independent renewable energy company Earth & Wire expects to begin installing its first long-duration energy storage system in South Africa in 2024 after announcing a 300 MW/1 200 MWh order for a battery system from Ambri, of the US. First deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of 2024, and implementation, which could be across multiple sites, is expected to involve a capital investment of between R3.5-billion and R4-billion depending on exchange-rate, interest-rate and supply-chain fluctuations.
June 27, 2022 by

Reform, State capability, corruption must be addressed before South Africa can progress – Mavuso

Three critical issues stand in the way of South Africa moving forward in terms of developing and attracting investment, Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso said at the Southern Africa France Business Forum on June 22.

Hosted by Business France, French Foreign Trade Advisors and the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the forum sought to strengthen business ties between France and South Africa.

June 24, 2022 by

Renewed focus on South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership

Creamer Media’s Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about the fresh attention this week on the $8.5-billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P) between South Africa and various developed countries; the importance of South Africa finalising a JET-P investment plan before COP27 in November; and other projects in South Africa that may in future be bundled under the JET-P banner.
June 24, 2022 by

Load-shedding to hit stage 4 all weekend after wage talks deadlock – Eskom

Eskom will implement stage 4 load-shedding from 11am on Friday until midnight, and again on Saturday and Sunday from 5am until midnight, amid ongoing unprotected labour action, it said in a statement on Friday. “It is necessary to bolster emergency generation reserves to react to unforeseen circumstances, as well as to replenish emergency reserves to prepare for the week ahead,” spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said.
June 24, 2022 by

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