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Jacobs appointed to modify Koeberg’s secondary turbine system

NYSE-listed consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery company Jacobs has been appointed to carry out essential engineering modifications as part of a R20-billion programme to extend the operating life of South Africa’s only nuclear power station – Koeberg, in the Western Cape.

The project is in preparation for the installation of six replacement steam generators, each weighing about 380 t and measuring about 20 m long, at the two-reactor plant operated by State-owned power utility Eskom.

August 12, 2021 by

Renewable energy sustainability bound to just transition and positive impacts

The sustainability of renewable energy is linked to its long-term positive impact within host communities and close collaboration will help bring about a socially just transition to cleaner energy, says renewable independent power producer (IPP) Scatec sub-Saharan Africa GM Jan Fourie. He adds that it will also result in a fairer distribution of skills and jobs in the country.
August 12, 2021 by

Renewable energy sector sourcing specialist skills for long-term growth

The renewable energy sector is preparing for the August 16 close of submissions for Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), as well as the next two bidding rounds, by sourcing specialist skills to deliver on renewable energy projects, says South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) CEO Ntombifuthi Ntuli. “We are anticipating jobs in manufacturing, logistics, finance, construction and operational phases. These comprise professional services, business services and sales.
August 11, 2021 by

South Africa needs to commit to transitioning to net-zero by 2050 – report

As a country with one of the most emissions-intensive power sectors in the world, and as a nation that is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, South Africa needs to commit to find ways to transition to a net-zero emission economy by 2050, National Business Initiative (NBI) CEO Joanne Yawitch asserts. She notes that, in particular, the country needs to understand the need to transition its economy and to decarbonise, as well as to build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
August 11, 2021 by

Sixth IPCC climate assessment important for international climate policy – DFFE

The sixth assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an important contribution to enhancing scientific understanding on climate change that must inform international policy at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, in November, says Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy.

“Climate action remains a national and international priority and South Africa remains firmly committed to contributing our best effort towards the global cause of addressing climate change.

“In this regard, we will be submitting our revised Nationally Determined Contribution to mitigate greenhouse-gas emissions to the UNFCCC ahead of COP 26.”

August 11, 2021 by

Treasury publishes draft renewable energy premium rates

To allay uncertainties associated with the renewable energy (RE) premium rates of the Carbon Tax Act, the National Treasury has published a new draft RE Premium Notice, proposing the removal of the limitation of the tax period for which the RE premium rates would be applicable.

The Carbon Tax Act came into effect in June 2019 to help ease the electricity sector transition and to further promote investment in renewable energy, thereby provisioning for electricity generators to offset additional purchases of renewable electricity against their carbon tax liability for the first phase of the carbon tax until December 31, 2022.

August 11, 2021 by

Polihali dam construction tender marks start of final water transfer component

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) says the Polihali dam construction tender process marks the start of the final construction phase of the water transfer component under the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and follows on the tender, issued in May, for the construction of the Polihali Transfer Tunnel. LHDA announced the launch of the tender on August 6 and tender documents were made available for download or collection from the LHDA from August 9. Interested and suitably qualified tenderers have until November 12 to submit their proposals. A virtual pre-tender meeting will be held on August 23, with a site visit scheduled on August 31.
August 10, 2021 by

Solidarity welcomes investigation into Medupi Unit 4’s explosion

Trade union Solidarity says it supports State-owned power utility Eskom’s investigation following an explosion at Unit 4 of the Medupi coal-fired power station, in Lephalale, on August 8. Eskom had confirmed on August 9 that the unit generator had been severely damaged in the explosion, which occurred during the displacement of hydrogen with carbon dioxide and air, respectively, for the purposes of finding an external leak.
August 10, 2021 by

Boikanyo Solar comes on line in the Northern Cape

Boikanyo Solar, situated in the Siyancuma local municipality, close to Douglas, in the Northern Cape, started commercial operations earlier this year, having reached grid code compliance on April 9. This project, which took a year to build, is part of a portfolio of six projects owned by the same shareholders and procured under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme Bid Window 4, and is the last of the six to come online.
August 10, 2021 by

Absa completes R5.2bn debt refinancing for three Globeleq power plants

Independent power producer Globeleq and financial services firm Absa have completed the senior debt refinancing of three of Globeleq’s renewable energy power plants in South Africa, the companies said on August 10. The purpose of the refinancing is to enhance the projects’ capital structures, allowing for the release of value to shareholders and the reduction of the tariff to the national utility and, ultimately, consumers in South Africa.
August 10, 2021 by