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Zimbabwe’s power utility to finish new coal-fired units in 2022

Zimbabwe’s State-owned power utility expects to complete the addition of coal-fired units next year, bucking a global trend to reduce reliance on the fossil fuel. The $1.5-billion expansion by Zimbabwe Power Company and China’s Sinohydro will finish one unit next year in September and another in December, adding 600 megawatts. That’s intended to replace 920 megawatts of existing capacity prone to breakdowns, according to Forbes Chanakira, site manager for the Hwange Power Expansion project.
October 20, 2021 by

Energy transition holds greatest promise for growth, job creation and development

A transition away from fossil fuel-based electricity to renewable-based electricity in South Africa can contribute significantly to job creation, growth and increased availability of electricity to support other commercial activities, four investment and energy specialists noted during a discussion on October 19. Investment management company Futuregrowth portfolio manager and head of unlisted credit Paul Semple said the move away from reliance on a monopolistic and coal-based energy sector to new sources of generation located around the country would need to involve the private sector, which has capital to invest in the energy sector.
October 19, 2021 by

Construction company agrees to pay fine, but denies it contravened Competition Act

A Gauteng-based construction and electrical civils company called Maziya General Services has agreed to pay a R300 000 penalty for allegedly colluding on a City Power tender in June 2018.

The tender related to the appointment of labour contractors for the installation and maintenance of medium- and low-voltage infrastructure including public lighting and major capital expenditure projects.

October 19, 2021 by

Construction company agrees to pay fine, but denies it contravened Competition Act

A Gauteng-based construction and electrical civils company called Maziya General Services has agreed to pay a R300 000 penalty for allegedly colluding on a City Power tender in June 2018.

The tender related to the appointment of labour contractors for the installation and maintenance of medium- and low-voltage infrastructure including public lighting and major capital expenditure projects.

October 19, 2021 by

South Africa’s electricity woes continue to place manufacturing at risk

The lack of reliable electricity supply is not only leading to lost production and increased costs across South Africa’s shrinking manufacturing sector, but has left enterprises unable to plan, invest and grow, Manufacturing Circle executive director Philippa Rodseth warned on Tuesday. Speaking at the start of a two-day electricity forum hosted jointly with the Industrial Development Corporation to discuss collaborative solutions to the ongoing problem, Rodseth said load-shedding remained an area of great concern, as did inadequate investment and poor maintenance by municipal distributors.
October 19, 2021 by

Wind sector manifesto sets out eight steps for govts to reach climate goals

The global wind energy sector has released a manifesto calling on governments to get serious about the energy transition and to work with the private sector to rapidly scale up wind and renewable energy installations.

The 90 wind energy companies and associations that contributed to the manifesto say annual wind installations need to scale up by four times the current levels for the world to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

October 18, 2021 by

Where a $5bn green incentive runs into politics of coal

The world’s richest countries are courting South Africa as a model of how to transition to a more climate-friendly future from a dependency on coal. While $5-billion of cheap loans and grants are on offer as a first step, transforming Africa’s most industrialized economy demands more than cash. It needs to win over power brokers like Gwede Mantashe, a former coal unionist who is now energy minister and chairman of the ruling African National Congress, to weaken the nation’s reliance on the black rock.
October 18, 2021 by

Tlou signs PPA with Botswana government

Dual-listed Tlou Energy expects to sign a 10 MW power purchase agreement (PPA) with State-owned Botswana Power Corporation, for power generated at Tlou’s Lesedi project.

Tlou plans to develop gas, solar and hydrogen power generation assets at Lesedi, with electricity to be sold into the local power grid.

October 18, 2021 by