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DBSA to support participation of black firms, communities in bid windows for renewables, …

State-owned development financier the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is gearing up to play a role in the public procurement of 7 615 MW of new electricity generation and storage capacity, including by facilitating participation for black-owned entities and communities. The DBSA has, to date, invested R12.4-billion into various projects procured since the launch of the country’s first independent power producer (IPP) auctions in 2011 and will now seek to participate in the three bidding rounds launched in December for 5 000 MW of renewable energy, 2 000 MW of gas to power (GtP) and 615 MW/2 460 MWh of battery storage.
January 22, 2024 by

Lhyfe, Source Galileo to establish green hydrogen production units in the UK, Ireland

Green and renewable hydrogen producer and supplier Lhyfe and renewable energy developer Source Galileo have entered into an agreement to jointly develop commercial-scale green and renewable hydrogen production units in the UK and Ireland, with plans under way for multiple units. The companies are collaborating to establish green hydrogen production units in the UK, which will be similar to Lhyfe’s recently inaugurated facility in Occitanie, in southern France.
January 22, 2024 by

South Africa must build renewable energy momentum, and then move on to other sectors – Mavuso

The rapid pace at which South Africa is building renewable energy, driven by private sector investment, is viewed as positive in the global context, such as at the recently held World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) yearly Davos meeting, said business organisation Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso. There is opportunity for South Africa amid the global context beset by risks, but the momentum must continue, particularly the next steps to reform the electricity sector, including the establishment of an independent grid operator, she emphasised in her latest weekly newsletter, published on January 22.
January 22, 2024 by

Marokane to officially report for duty as Eskom CEO on March 1

Eskom has announced that Dan Marokane – who was named group CEO on December 8, almost a full year after André de Ruyter formally resigned – will assume office on March 1, 2024. Previously, Eskom indicated that Marokane would join the organisation no later than March 31, 2024, so as to allow him time to finalise his existing responsibilities.
January 19, 2024 by

Reliable electricity must be prioritised over transition

The sheer urgency of addressing energy insecurity in Africa demands that a reliable grid is prioritised first and other energy concerns, such as transitioning to renewable-energy sources, second, says energy advocacy group African Energy Chamber executive chairperson NJ Ayuk. Ayuk critiques western leaders that often urge African nations to make a rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable-energy sources, stating “they seem to think that African nations can switch to renewable-power sources fairly easily, as if a good energy infrastructure was already in place”.
January 19, 2024 by

Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill essential to resolving energy crisis

The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill will accelerate South Africa’s shift towards a decentralised, modern, and low-carbon energy system, says industry association Energy Council of South Africa CEO James Mackay. This shift will enable vital reforms that will help end loadshedding as well as accelerate the Just Energy Transition – which has the potential to unlock economic growth and job creation, he elaborates.   The Energy Council of South Africa addressed the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy regarding the critical importance of passing the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, in December last year.
January 19, 2024 by

Manufacturer poised to support Transmission Development Plan

Electromechanical equipment manufacturer ACTOM High Voltage Equipment, a division of the ACTOM Group, is preparing to participate in State-owned electricity utility Eskom’s Transmission Development Plan (TDP). South Africa’s electricity landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the introduction of new generation capacity from independent power producers (IPPs), including the planned integration of renewable energy sources, according to ACTOM High Voltage.
January 19, 2024 by

Loadshedding could increase in 2024

Loadshedding is expected to continue in 2024, possibly at even higher levels than those of 2023, says tertiary institute Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) chief engineer Monique le Roux. State-owned power utility Eskom struggled to improve its energy availability factor (EAF) throughout 2023, with the EAF reaching only the same levels as those achieved towards the end of 2022.
January 19, 2024 by