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Company leverages offering, expertise to ‘redefine’ S Africa’s energy industry

As South Africa’s energy sector continues to grapple with climate change and an increasing demand for electricity, electromechanical equipment manufacturer ACTOM is making significant strides in redefining the industry through its production of transformers, high-voltage equipment, switchgear and control systems, according to CEO Mervyn Naidoo. The company’s offerings – such as the complete build of substations on an engineering, procurement and construction basis, alongside the operation and maintenance of plants and all associated components – underscore its commitment to excellence and reliability.
March 22, 2024 by

Mixed generation necessary for ‘seamless’ energy transition

The energy transition – in South Africa, Africa, and globally – entails an appropriate mix of energy generation sources, including gas, hydrogen power and renewables, in order to achieve the goals of energy security, decarbonisation and emission reduction, says energy technology company GE Vernova. Through its mission to contribute to accelerating the path to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, the company is making headway in helping businesses achieve net-zero goals using gas, hydrogen and alternative renewable resources for power generation.
March 22, 2024 by

R600m financing facility to support S Africa’s renewables landscape

Financial services firm Standard Bank and China National Building Materials International (CNBM) have concluded a R600-million sustainable finance solution. The strategic financial package, comprising a R500-million invoice financing facility and a R100-million working capital facility, is set to enable more South Africans to access affordable solar energy solutions, says Standard Bank China segment head for South Africa and core markets Lydia Zhang.
March 22, 2024 by

Businesses could enable environment-friendly future – consultants

Global professional services firm BDO South Africa asserts that the imperative for businesses to expedite their environmental commitments remains crucial to promoting sustainable growth. The firm identifies carbon emissions, energy use and landfill waste as major contributors to the climate crisis, and is concerned that the crisis may have a significant effect on the agriculture sector, with extreme weather patterns and extended periods of drought affecting soil fertility.  
March 22, 2024 by

Defy launches solar-powered off-grid fridge, freezer range

Amid the compounding effects of loadshedding in South Africa and increasing concerns about climate change, appliance manufacturer Defy Appliances has launched its Solar Off-Grid fridge and freezer range to address local energy challenges and provide reliable ‘always-on’ refrigeration to ensure food preservation and, consequently, reduce food waste. Being the first of its kind in the market, the company says the Defy Solar Off-Grid represents a significant step forward in sustainable technology by offering a practical solution for households and businesses across the country.
March 20, 2024 by

Tear up IRP 2023 and start again, Outa asserts

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has called on the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to recall and reworked the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023) and to then reissue a revised document for “meaningful” public consultation that includes public hearings. In its comment on the draft submitted to the DMRE ahead of the March 23 deadline, which was extended from an initial deadline of February 23, Outa said the draft IRP 2023 had reached “erroneous conclusions and observations”, owing to the inclusion of acknowledged errors and outdated technology costs.
March 19, 2024 by

Conclusions in opaque IRP 2023 are ‘incorrect and economically damaging’

In an excoriating assessment of the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023), Meridian Economics points to serious problems with the modelling and cost assumptions used by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), which the consultancy says has resulted in “incorrect and economically damaging conclusions”. Released days ahead of the March 23 deadline for public comment, Meridian described the IRP 2023 as an opaque document that fails to achieve its own stated purpose of ensuring a secure, affordable and clean power system.
March 19, 2024 by

Energy Regulator approvals mark another step towards NTCSA’s operationalisation

South Africa’s Energy Regulator has taken another set of decisions opening the way for the operationalisation of a separate grid company in South Africa ahead of the far-reaching legislative changes approved by the National Assembly last week. On March 11, the Energy Regulator consented to the transfer of powers and duties, from Eskom Holdings to the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), relating to power purchase agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) concluded in line with Section 34 of Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) of 2006.
March 18, 2024 by