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OPEC Fund signs off on $65m clean energy and infrastructure development financing for Madagascar

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development has signed off on two financing agreements with Madagascar totalling $65-million to boost support for sustainable socioeconomic development and energy transition. A $35-million loan will support the Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (Smart) Clean Cooking Project, while an additional $30-million loan will help develop transport infrastructure through the Facilitation of Commerce Corridors Project Phase II (PACFC II).
September 27, 2024 by

Provest Group goes solar for energy at its Steelpoort plant

South African mining, industrial and construction industries services provider Provest Group has successfully established a solar energy system at its Steelpoort plant, in Limpopo province. Provest, which has a particular focus on the platinum, chrome and manganese sectors, implemented the solar power project to both boost energy security at, and reduce the carbon emissions of, its Steelpoort facility. “Loadshedding pushed us to explore alternative energy solutions,” explained Provest Plant Manager Martin Kubyane. “Our reliance on diesel generators contributed to increased carbon emissions. However, we recognised that with a solar installation we would be able to secure our power supply, reduce our dependence on the grid and ensure that we can continue to meet our production targets, while also reducing our carbon emissions. As a responsible organisation, the business case was very clear to us.”
September 27, 2024 by

Wind power increasingly important to South African economy

South Africa’s ambitious Integrated Resource Plan serves as a “comprehensive roadmap” for meeting the country’s projected electricity demand, balancing financial considerations with climate change commitments to ensure a “sustainable and economically viable energy supply for the future”, says wind energy body South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). Wind power, specifically, has achieved remarkable success in the country, with 34 operational wind farms boasting an installed capacity of 3 442 MW.  About 3.6-million households are supplied with electricity a year – underscoring its efficacy as a dependable energy source.
September 27, 2024 by

Wind energy investment to be increased for future grid stability

South Africa recorded a landmark 160 days with no loadshedding, the longest period in over four years. However, maintaining future grid stability will require a doubling down on wind investment as well as higher spending on transmission infrastructure, says local renewable-energy developer Red Cap. Two factors contributed to this milestone: greater availability of baseload power, as well as the new supply contributed by private wind developers. As of August 2024, State-owned utility Eskom’s available generation capacity reached over 35 000 MW, which exceeded peak demand by more than 3 000 MW.
September 27, 2024 by

Company improves wind generation, enhances sector

Leading green energy company G7 Renewable Energies is making headway in advancing South Africa’s transition to a green economy with various wind energy projects in progress for the purpose of enhancing the country’s Just Energy Transition initiatives. The latest projects in construction on behalf of G7 Renewable Energies are the 140 MW Brandvalley, 140 MW Rietkloof and 103 MW Witberg wind farms.
September 27, 2024 by

Internship programme to advance wind industry

Technical and environmental engineering advisory firm Harmattan Renewables is continuing its participation in the Wind Industry Internship Programme, so that student employees in the sector can acquire the experience and skills needed to address the challenge of an ongoing skills shortage in the local renewable-energy industry. The programme, first launched in 2021 by the South African Wind Energy Association, will equip graduates with the necessary skills to address ongoing wind turbine operations and asset management, as ageing assets can be repaired, says Harmattan Renewables director Chanda Nxumalo.
September 27, 2024 by

Upcoming mini-Budget to include details on Independent Power Transmission pilot project

Details on the approach South Africa will be taking to piloting Independent Power Transmission (IPT) projects as part of a strategy to accelerate the expansion of its electricity grid will be included in the upcoming Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), a senior official in the office of Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has confirmed. The MTBPS is scheduled to be released by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on October 30.
September 26, 2024 by

ENERTRAG advocates for local collector grid system to support national capacity

As South Africa tackles the next energy challenge of grid capacity, ENERTRAG South Africa technical head Dr Clinton Carter-Brown advocates for local collector grids that can integrate power from multiple projects and provide dispatchable green energy when combined with energy storage.

His comments come ahead of South African Wind Energy Association’s seventh yearly WindAc Africa Conference in October, in Cape Town.

September 26, 2024 by

Don’t conflate Eskom-Sasol bilateral on LNG with ‘national strategy’ needed to avert gas …

The Industrial Gas Users Association of Southern Africa (IGUA-SA) has welcomed the attention that South Africa’s impending “gas cliff” is finally enjoying from government through Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. The body is cautioning, however, against conflating the recent signing of an agreement between Eskom and Sasol to jointly explore ways to shore-up demand to facilitate the importation of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which Ramokgopa attended, with the “national strategy” or “country plan” required to avert the crisis.
September 25, 2024 by

Global plan for early ditch of coal power hits Indonesia hurdle

G7-backed push to close coal power plants in emerging markets is facing further delays after a July deadline passed without a deal on the early closure of an Indonesian power plant that would be the first to shut under the initiative.

The push against coal comes under the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) with Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa and Vietnam that call for billions of dollars in investments, grants and loans from G7 members, multilateral banks and private lenders to help them transition to low-carbon economies.

September 25, 2024 by