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Surging Covid-linked borrowing costs pose threat to Africa’s energy transition

The surge in borrowing costs affecting most African countries in the wake of the economic and fiscal harm that has accompanied the Covid-19 pandemic poses a serious risk to the much-needed recovery in energy investment across the continent, which is set to collapse by 30% in 2020. International Energy Agency (IEA) executive director Dr Fatih Birol, who together with African Union Commission (AUC) infrastructure and energy commissioner Dr Amani Abou-Zeid co-chaired the AUC-IEA Second Ministerial Forum on Tuesday, stressed that a strong investment recovery was urgently required to improve energy access across the continent, which was poised to retreat for the first time in seven years in 2020.
November 24, 2020 by

Nedbank provides financing options for solar power

Banking institution Nedbank is exploring financing options for solar photovoltaic (PV) installation for homeowners and has implemented several options for businesses wanting to install solar PV plants. Nedbank Home Loans strategy head Bruno Cing’andu noted during a November 24 webinar, hosted by the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association, that Nedbank Home Loans is exploring financing for solar owing to it aligning with the group’s strategy and brand positioning.
November 24, 2020 by

A ‘just transition’ is complicated – panel

As South Africa emerges from the Covid-19-induced economic crisis, the most strategic objective would be to relieve the economy and its growth path from the stronghold of insufficient access to sustainable and competitive power generation, advisory Pan-African Investment and Research Services founder and CE Dr Iraj Abedian has said.

He has published a research paper on a just energy transition, which states that even before the pandemic struck, the country had already recorded a technical recession, it being the second in just two years, which is in part owing to the State-owned energy utility Eskom’s inability to supply adequate and reliable electricity.

November 24, 2020 by

De Ruyter calls for upscaling of power procurement plans as he questions whether coal IPP will …

Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter has again called on government to open the way for the procurement of more new electricity capacity in addition to the 11 800 MW outlined in a recently gazetted Ministerial determination, cautioning that the 1 500 MW of new coal included in the determination is unlikely to be built in the timeframes outlined, if at all. Speaking to broadcaster Bruce Whitfield as part of a PSG-organised webinar, De Ruyter said that, even if the capital could be raised for new coal, the projects would struggle to secure environmental approvals and the commissioning schedule envisaged in the Integrated Resource Plan of 2019 (IRP2019).
November 24, 2020 by

Zirk Botha prepares for 7 000 km solo transatlantic row

Capetonian Zirk Botha – a former naval combat officer and adventure racer – is preparing final arrangements to depart from Cape Town on a 7 000 km-long solo rowing trip on his boat Ratel across the Atlantic ocean, to Rio de Janeiro.

Sponsored by the company he works for – juwi Renewable Energies – Botha plans to depart from Granger Bay at on December 1, following which he will row for about 100 days unassisted. His boat’s electrical equipment will run solely from solar panels and batteries.

November 23, 2020 by

Zirk Botha prepares for 7 000 km solo transatlantic row

Capetonian Zirk Botha – a former naval combat officer and adventure racer – is preparing final arrangements to depart from Cape Town on a 7 000 km-long solo rowing trip on his boat Ratel across the Atlantic ocean, to Rio de Janeiro.

Sponsored by the company he works for – juwi Renewable Energies – Botha plans to depart from Granger Bay at on December 1, following which he will row for about 100 days unassisted. His boat’s electrical equipment will run solely from solar panels and batteries.

November 23, 2020 by

Nersa sets Feb 5 deadline for written comment on proposed nuclear determination

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has given stakeholders until February 5 to comment on a Section 34 determination received from Minerals Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe for the procurement of new nuclear capacity post-2030. The draft determination delivered to Nersa by the Minister for its concurrence states that the commencement of the procurement of 2 500 MW of nuclear capacity is in line with “Decision 8 of the Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity (IRP2019)”, gazetted on October 18, 2019.
November 23, 2020 by

Enel, Novartis sign ten-year renewable energy deal

Enel Group renewable energy subsidiary Enel Green Power and medicines company Novartis have signed a ten-year, 100% renewable virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) for 78 MW of renewable power.

This pan-European VPPA will start in January 2022 and will help Novartis achieve its goals for 100% renewable electricity and carbon-neutrality across its European operations by 2025.

November 20, 2020 by