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DMRE moving with pace on new nuclear determination as technoeconomic questions mount

South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) expects to finalise nuclear-procurement consultations in the coming two to three months before approaching the regulator for its concurrence with a new Ministerial determination for the procurement of 2 500 MW of new nuclear capacity. Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa withdrew the Section 34 Ministerial determination he Gazetted in January ahead of a court hearing into whether the correct procedures had been followed prior to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) concurrence with the determination.
September 4, 2024 by

South Africa rail, power revamp hinges on ending cable theft

The recovery of South Africa’s two biggest State-owned companies — beset by years of corruption and theft — relies on one common component: protecting thousands of miles of cables from theft and rolling out more. Both freight-rail operator Transnet and power utility Eskom battle to hang onto lines that typically contain copper and which criminals steal and sell as scrap.
September 4, 2024 by

Sasol confirms refinements being made to emissions reduction pathway

Energy and chemicals group Sasol has reiterated that its target to reduce its greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 30% by 2030 remains in place, but has also confirmed that it is refining its “pathways” towards meeting that goal. In a note to shareholders, the JSE-listed group indicated that these refinements might involve “shifts in feedstock, energy and products to support our pathway towards being more sustainable”.
September 3, 2024 by

Germany seeks clarity on South Africa’s coal-closure slowdown

Germany’s climate envoy said her country is seeking clarity on South Africa’s plans to slow down the closure of its coal-fired power plants and alter the terms of a landmark climate-finance pact. The European nation is a founding member of the $9.3-billion agreement, known as the Just Energy Transition Partnership, under which some of the world’s richest nations will give South Africa loans and grants on condition it cuts dependence on coal.
September 3, 2024 by

Marokane says ‘holistic’ conversation needed on tariff rules and other regulatory gaps

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane says the State-owned company is eager to participate in a “holistic conversation” about the gap that has emerged between the changes under way in the electricity sector and the rules governing the industry, including those related to the way tariffs are set. In an exclusive interview with Engineering News, Marokane expressed optimism in Eskom’s ability to bring an end to the devastating era of loadshedding, and indicated that the recent period of operational stability had helped to restore morale, slash diesel costs and provide the board and executives with time and space to begin focusing on the future strategy for the unbundled entities.
August 30, 2024 by

Pipeline enhancement to facilitate LNG distribution

Johannesburg gas supplier Egoli Gas aims to develop the capacity to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG) into its pipeline network, with plans to expand access to other major metropolitan areas (metros), positioning Egoli Gas at the forefront of natural gas distribution in South Africa, says recently appointed Egoli Gas MD Mncedisi Mlilo. “When LNG  is introduced into the energy mix in South Africa, we are looking forward to expanding our reticulation infrastructure to other metros and underserviced areas, beyond the greater Johannesburg Metro,” he says.
August 30, 2024 by

Gas-to-industry project launched in Cameroon

Independent oil and gas company Perenco Cameroon launched Perenco Group’s first gas-to-industry supply project in Central Africa, in July this year. The project involves the delivery of gas from the Bipaga Gas Processing Centre, located in Cameroon and operated by Perenco Cameroon, to the ceramic manufacturer Keda Ceramics’ manufacturing plant.
August 30, 2024 by

Switchgear manufacturer unveils cutting-edge products at Electra Mining

Energy equipment and solutions provider CHINT Global will showcase its latest advancements in smart energy solutions at this year’s Electra Mining Africa conference, to be held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from September 2 to 6. On September 4, the company will launch new product ranges, including the CJX1-22K vacuum contactors, the NM8N high-voltage series moulded case circuit breaker and the NM8NDC range of direct current (dc) switchgear.
August 30, 2024 by

IDC optimistic of industrial investment recovery following fall in disbursements to R15.9bn

South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is optimistic of converting the rise in business confidence that has accompanied the recent easing in loadshedding and visible efforts to address freight logistics bottlenecks into higher levels of investment this year, following a decline in disbursement during its 2024 financial year. The development finance institution disbursed R15.9-billion in the financial year to March 31, 2024, representing an 11% decline when compared with the R17.8-billion disbursed in the previous year.
August 29, 2024 by