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New technology nearing pilot-plant stage

To advance its locally developed carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technology, South African company EPCM Global Engineering is progressing to the next stage of development through a comprehensive pilot plant programme aimed at attracting investment from State-owned and private sector partners. The company seeks to address major emissions challenges with solutions capable of delivering lasting impact.
May 8, 2026 by

BESS solutions  become financially viable

The clear and accelerating pivot from solar-only to hybrid energy solutions across sub-Saharan Africa is owed to cost-effective battery energy storage systems (BESS) making hybrid solutions financially viable, notes commercial energy company RenEnergy. As diesel prices soar, grids falter under increased strain and electricity tariffs escalate, the solution for much of the commercial and industrial sectors in sub-Saharan Africa is a shift to hybrid systems.
May 8, 2026 by

Eskom to interrupt bulk electricity supply to one North West municipality from May 8

Power utility Eskom has confirmed that it will proceed with the interruption of bulk electricity supply to the Mamusa local municipality, in the North West, from May 8, after the municipality failed to reach an agreement with the State-owned entity to settle its outstanding debt. The utility in March notified various municipalities across the country of its intention to interrupt bulk electricity supply for several hours a day owing to the debt owed to Eskom by the municipalities for more than 18 months.
May 8, 2026 by

Eskom reports progress in dialogue with some municipalities struggling to settle debt

State-owned power utility Eskom says notable progress has been achieved as a result of the ongoing dialogue since March with 14 municipalities that have not settled their accounts for bulk electricity supply for at least the past 18 months. The municipalities were selected because they had also not met the conditions of the National Treasury municipal debt relief programme, or they posed a significant financial risk to Eskom.
May 6, 2026 by

Japan offers energy loan, ammonia technology to South Africa

Japan plans to fast-track talks with South Africa on a yen-denominated energy loan, while promoting its technology to blend ammonia with coal to reduce carbon emissions in a country that still generates most of its electricity from one of the dirtiest fossil fuels. The loan would be used by South Africa to extend its own energy transition aims, Japanese diplomatic officials said, asking not to be identified in line with government practice, during a visit by its Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. The size of the loan was not specified.
May 6, 2026 by

SAPVIA urges strategic approach to localisation from solar boom

There are gaps in South Africa’s ability to effectively localise manufacturing and fully capture the economic benefits of the energy transition that is being driven by rapid solar PV expansion, rising electricity tariffs and private sector investment, says industry organisation the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA). This rapid growth in demand presents opportunities for local manufacturing of certain components, but local manufacturing participation in the solar value chain remains limited. Most high-value components, such as PV modules, inverters and trackers and lithium-ion batteries, are still imported.
May 5, 2026 by

Discovery Green inks 10yr PPA to supply Afrox’s Kuilsrivier ASU with renewable energy

Industrial gases and welding products company Afrox has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with renewable energy trading company Discovery Green to supply renewable energy to Afrox’s Kuilsriver air separation unit (ASU), in Cape Town. Discovery Green will provide the ASU with about 28 GWh/y of renewable electricity under the agreement, starting in April 2028, from a diversified portfolio of wind and solar assets across the Western Cape, Mpumalanga and the Free State.
May 5, 2026 by

South Africa poised for record IPP deployments in 2026

South Africa’s utility-scale renewables and battery storage market is poised for a record year of installations, a new research note produced by the Power Futures Lab at the UCT Graduate School of Business shows. Authors Dr Olakunle Alao and Dr Wikus Kruger state that six projects with a combined capacity of 1 787 MW had already advanced to financial close by April 30, while a further 27 projects, representing 3 575 MW, are poised to achieve that milestone by year-end.
May 5, 2026 by