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Eskom power transition lacking energy, says LTM Energy CEO

State-owned power utility Eskom, South Africa’s largest emitter of greenhouse gasses, is not adapting to change fast enough, as the world races to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by adopting greener energy solutions, says local energy services company LTM Energy CEO Dhevan Pillay. South Africa is the fifteenth largest carbon emitter globally, with Eskom responsible for about 43% of the country’s total carbon emissions, owing to its significant reliance on coal-fired power to generate electricity. About 1 t of carbon dioxide is emitted for every MWh produced, according to Eskom’s 2021 Annual Sustainability Report.

Iberdrola, H2 Green Steel plan mega green hydrogen plant

Global wind power group Iberdrola and Swedish startup H2 Green Steel plan to build a vast renewable hydrogen plant on the Iberian peninsula to power the production of iron used to make steel with drastically reduced carbon emissions. The European Union is pushing the development of a supply chain for “green” hydrogen – made by splitting water molecules with renewable electricity – to replace the millions of tonnes of “grey” hydrogen – made with coal or natural gas – that its industry consumes every year.

Judge to rule next week on latest Eskom-Nersa legal wrangle

Judge Jody Kollapen has reserved judgment in Eskom’s application to have the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) rejection of its latest revenue application set aside as irrational and unlawful. Following a virtual hearing on December 1, Kollapen indicated that he expected to publish a determination, along with his reasons, next week.

Eskom CEO sees end to crisis in shift from coal

South African state power utility Eskom sees an opportunity to emerge from years of crisis by shifting from coal-fired power generation towards natural gas and renewables, its chief executive told Reuters. Eskom has implemented power cuts for more than a decade in Africa’s most industrialised nation that have held back economic growth and deterred investment. It has roughly R400-billion of debt that it services through regular government bailouts.

Faster-than-ever renewable electricity growth supports emergence of a new global energy economy

Stronger policies and raised climate goals leading into COP26 are driving renewables to new records, but faster deployment across all key sectors is needed to reach net zero, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says in a new report. It adds that the growth of the world’s capacity to generate electricity from solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable technologies is on course to accelerate over the coming years, with this year expected to set a fresh all-time record for new installations.

Germiston-based DNG Energy receives first LNG shipment

Pan-African liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply network DNG Energy has received a shipment of LNG at its plant in Germiston, enabling the company to accelerate its pilot projects with its partners in the next few weeks.

DNG Energy’s pilot projects aim to test the feasibility of using LNG as an alternative to diesel, as a proof-of-concept for a cleaner and more affordable option for transport, industrial power generation and mining.

IFC, partners to build 100 MW solar plant in south-eastern DRC

Development finance institution the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is providing $900 000 in funding for project development costs for an independent power producer (IPP) project in Kolwezi, in the south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project entails a 100 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, with the power to be sold to the national utility and support mining operations and economic activity in the region.