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Eskom describes implementation of structural tariff changes as necessary shock to system

Eskom has acknowledged that there will be differentiated tariff impacts for various categories of electricity customers following the regulator’s approval of a new retail tariff plan (RTP) for implementation on April 1, alongside the 12.74% tariff increase approved for the 2025/26 financial year. Eskom regulation GM Hasha Tlhotlhalemaje has described the restructuring associated with the RTP as a necessary “shock”, as it begins aligning Eskom’s tariff structure with underlying system costs and changes to the electricity supply industry, while removing unintended cross-subsidies.

Gaia acquires an interest in solar PV, wind plants

Cape Town Stock Exchange-listed Gaia Renewables 1, has acquired an interest in three renewable-energy plants from the IDEAS Renewable Energy Fund, which is managed by African Infrastructure Investment Managers. The deal, initially funded with debt and equity, will see the fund gaining a 10% holding in each of the Linde and Kalkbult solar PV plants, in the Northern Cape, as well as a 21% stake in the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, in the Eastern Cape.

CSIR, AFD discuss enterprise development opportunities for solar PV, battery storage

Research institution the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and French public agency Agence Française de Développement (AFD) on March 12 hosted a dissemination workshop to share the findings of the study titled ‘Value chain analysis for identification of opportunities for enterprise development’. This collaboration included a study examining the localisation potential and enterprise development opportunities for solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage value chains.

Western Cape could start exporting renewable power by 2032

The Western Cape government says it remains on track to reach its target of generating 5 700 MW of its own energy by 2035, and could even become a net exporter of renewable energy by 2032. Premier Alan Winde this week provided an update on the progress his government had made in building up the province’s energy and water security capabilities.

Africa’s solar capacity grows, but falls well short of potential – council

Nonprofit trade body Global Solar Council (GSC) finds in its latest market report that Africa’s solar installations are set to soar over the next four years, with 23 GW projected to be installed. With solar installations on the continent poised to grow by 42% this year, GSC says the region is “on the verge of a solar breakthrough”; however, more solar capacity is often held back by high capital costs and insufficient financing.

Innovative fuel alternatives benefit multiple industries

As part of its long-term “Shape Tomorrow” strategy, petroleum company MOL Group has successfully produced and tested a diesel fuel containing hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava, Slovakia. The biodiesel HVO is produced using the oil in cashew nut shells, which is combined with crude oil to produce the biocomponent.