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South African coal consumers face tough decisions as miners prioritise exports over domestic …

A potential food crisis may be brewing in South Africa as domestic coal consumers face increasing difficulty in securing coal supplies at a fair price to fire their processing plants, says commodity insights and marketplace company African Source Markets CEO Bevan Jones.

He tells Mining Weekly that, currently, South African producers of high-quality coal are increasingly neglecting the domestic industrial sector as a result of high US Dollar export coal prices.

May 13, 2022 by

Relaxation of PFMA rules empowers Eskom to engage directly with OEMs, maintenance suppliers

State-owned utility Eskom says the National Treasury’s relaxation of some procurement and supply chain management rules and processes contained in the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) will assist it in speeding up critical and urgent procurement. The amendment, which is outlined in an instruction note that became effective in April,  will also empower it to engage directly with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and maintenance suppliers.
May 13, 2022 by

Eskom reiterates support for BW5 of the REIPPPP

State-owned power utility Eskom has acknowledged and welcomed the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE’s) extension of the commercial close timelines for the 25 preferred bidders announced under the Renewable Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) Bid Window 5 (BW5), with all projects expected to sign project agreements by no later than the end of September. Eskom’s Grid Access Unit (GAU) has also reiterated its support for the REIPPPP and has also made some clarifications regarding the REIPPPP BW5, as well as the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) and the non-DMRE electricity generation projects.
May 13, 2022 by

InfraCo Africa provides $15m loan to Bboxx to ramp up clean energy access in Africa

Infrastructure investment mobilisation organisation InfraCo Africa will provide $15-million by way of convertible loan notes to decentralised solar-powered systems company Bboxx to enable it to accelerate its provision of clean energy solutions to millions of people in existing and new markets across sub-Saharan Africa. To date, Bboxx has successfully delivered clean energy solutions for more than 2.5-million people globally, with substantial operations in countries including Rwanda, Kenya, Togo, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
May 13, 2022 by

Efficient trucks added to fleet

Heavy lifting and rigging specialist Lovemore Bros added four new trucks from global truck manufacturer Volvo to its heavy lifting and materials handling fleet. Lovemore Bros heavy rigging manager Shane Hawyes says the benefit of the acquisition is threefold.
May 13, 2022 by

Project launched to fast-track energy, water transition

The South African Industry Adaption (SAIA) project was launched last month to accelerate South African industry’s energy and water transition to a decarbonised, green and inclusive economy, as well as a vibrant job market. SAIA is a collaboration between the governments of South Africa and Flanders, in Belgium, and the United Nations Industrial Development Corporation (Unido).
May 13, 2022 by

Tracker technology increases PV efficacy

The Genius Tracker from solar energy equipment supplier GameChange Solar can increase a solar photovoltaic (PV) installation’s harnessing efficacy by up to 25% as opposed to a static tracking system. The single axis tracker can be installed on slopes of about 7%, “but it could be designed to accommodate a slope of up to 15% if requested to do so by the client”, adds GameChange Solar Southern Africa regional director Russ Bowden.
May 13, 2022 by

Two installations prove company’s mettle

Industrial boiler manufacturer Steam Generation has successfully completed two projects in Africa that highlight its ability to improve energy efficiency and management for clients. “We commissioned a steam generation plant for a notable brewery in Accra, Ghana, in January, which entailed industrial equipment supplier CERTUSS steam generators that enable the brewery to manage demand fluctuations during its brewing process without interruption,” Steam Generation commercial director Nathi Hlophe tells Engineering News.
May 13, 2022 by

Battery installation bolsters solar plant efficacy

Renewable-energy turnkey provider African Clean Energy Solutions (ACES) Renewables is installing two 540 kWh hybrid lithium-ion batteries at a business park near the Eastgate shopping centre, in Gauteng, to ensure energy efficiency amid load-shedding disruptions. The project, which includes the supply and installation of the two batteries, is a knock-on to an initial project for the client in 2021, which entailed the installation of a 200 kWp photovoltaic (PV) solar plant with all ancillaries and connections.
May 13, 2022 by