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Report calls for freeze on new coal, warns of risks if energy transition is delayed

South Africa should freeze investment in new private coal plants, as delaying South Africa’s “inevitable” transition away from the carbon-emitting energy mineral will cause economic damage, a new Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) analysis on the country’s coal value chain states. Co-authored by TIPS economists Neva Makgetla and Muhammed Patel, the report argues that the coal sector is mired in a classic process of creative destruction, whereby disruptive technologies have developed to a point where older assets can no longer compete and ultimately have to be written off.
July 23, 2021 by

Eskom enhances its digital platforms

State-owned power utility Eskom has embarked on a digital journey to increase its availability and accessibility to its customers. The enhanced MyEskom Customer app and the introduction of Alfred the chatbot are the first of many digital solutions to be launched to enhance Eskom’s customer self-help channels, the embattled electricity provider said on July 23.
July 23, 2021 by

Micro-Grid Academy Young Talent awards recognise eight finalists for innovation

The Micro-Grid Academy Young Talent of the Year 2021 Awards have named eight finalists from across Africa in recognition of their sustainable energy innovations.

This yearly competition is backed by RES4Africa Foundation, Enel Green Power and the European Investment Bank (EIB). It encourages young entrepreneurs from across Africa to develop projects that expand energy access, enable greater use of renewable energy and accelerate sustainability.

July 23, 2021 by

AfDB finances cross-country power initiative, youth development in Ethiopia

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has signed two grant agreements for new projects with the Ethiopian government, which aims to boost youth employment and electricity trade between Ethiopia and Djibouti.

The grants are grouped under the bank’s concessional lending window and will comprise $47-million towards productivity enhancement in agricultural industrial parks and $71-million to power interconnection between the two countries.

July 23, 2021 by

Wheeling framework remains an inhibitor to IPPs, says association

The current South African power industry structure is supportive of wheeling, in theory, but issues persist that limit the development of more third-party network access and the development of a competitive, open-access electricity market, the South African Independent Power Producers Association (SAIPPA) highlighted this week.

It unpacked some of these regulatory framework and implementation issues during a webinar on July 22.

July 23, 2021 by

Platinum giants eye solar power as green answer to blackouts

The world’s biggest platinum miners are ramping up plans to build renewable energy plants to free them from power outages that have plagued South Africa for more than a decade and to reduce their carbon footprint. Sibanye-Stillwater, the No. 1 platinum miner, Impala Platinum Holdings and Anglo American Platinum said they plan to scale up solar and wind farms for their own use to cut reliance on state-owned utility Eskom Holdings, some of whose aging coal-fired plants have failed to keep up with electricity demand.
July 23, 2021 by

Hybrid solar installation completed in Zimbabwe

The active partnership between South Africa-based solar solutions provider Blockpower SA and German-managed microgrid integrator Dhybrid has resulted in the completion of a 1.4 MWp, 1 MVA, 480 kWh hybrid solar system at an agriculture estate, in Zimbabwe. The Tanganda Tea Company, which operates several agriculture estates in the Chipinge district, procured the services of Blockpower to install a hybrid solar solution for its tea processing plant.
July 23, 2021 by

Investment event targets S Africa and Germany

The annual Africa Financial Services Investment Conference – Investing in Africa event, known as AFSIC, organised by hosting company Africa Events Limited, will be held in London, UK, on October 11 and 12. The event provides a forum for investors, business leaders and dealmakers to build pan-African business networks, with a strong focus on investing in South Africa.
July 23, 2021 by

Stage 2 load-shedding to hit SA on Thursday amid cold front

Eskom will implement stage 2 load-shedding from 16:00 to 21:00 on Thursday night due to generation issues, combined with the severe cold weather, the power utility announced.  “Unfortunately, a generation unit each at Tutuka and Medupi Power Stations were forced offline this afternoon, increasing the capacity constraints on the power system,” Eskom said. 
July 22, 2021 by

Eskom warns of load-shedding as grid buckles amid high demand, loss of generation units

State-owned power utility Eskom warns that it may “be forced” to implement load-shedding at short notice as a result of increased consumption amid the severely cold weather currently sweeping across parts of South Africa, coupled with the loss of some generation capacity.

Generation breakdowns total 12 984 MW, while planned maintenance leaves a deficit of 2 924 MW.

July 22, 2021 by