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Draft regulations mark yet another step towards private grid investment

In yet another step towards clearing the path for South Africa’s inaugural procurement of independent transmission projects (ITPs), draft regulations have been published for a 30-day public comment period. Their release follows a Ministerial determination by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa opening the way for the procurement of the first phase of the ITPs, involving 1 164 km of 400 kV powerlines and 2 630 MVA of transformers across seven projects in three provinces.
April 7, 2025 by

Westbrooke seeks to grow its 30 MW renewable energy portfolio further

Alternative investment funds and co-investment platforms manager and adviser Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management says it is seeing strong growth in renewable energy in South Africa and that it is aiming to grow its portfolio further. Westbrooke has closed its 2025 Westbrooke Renewable Energy Alternatives (Westbrooke Real) investment strategy, which invests in sustainable energy solutions.
April 7, 2025 by

SAJ marks 20 years of innovation at Solar & Storage Live Africa 2025

Energy storage solutions provider SAJ is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, marking two decades of innovation and growth in the renewable energy sector. At Solar & Storage Live Africa 2025, held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, SAJ CEO Samil Ouyang reflected on the company’s journey and future vision. Since its founding, SAJ has been driven by a commitment to technological advancement and sustainable energy solutions. With a global footprint, the company’s close collaboration with international markets has shaped its approach to product development, ensuring tailored solutions for diverse energy needs.
April 7, 2025 by

Drip irrigation cuts water and electricity bills on farms

Drip irrigation has long been a trusted sugarcane irrigation method, with the obvious advantages being reduced resource use and higher yields. However, sugarcane farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have emphasised that the greatest benefits extend beyond the traditional goal of growing more with less. Lower electricity use and reduced labour requirements have emerged as key benefits following discussions with these farmers, says precision irrigation equipment manufacturer Netafim.
April 4, 2025 by

Global coal power capacity inches up in 2024, data shows

The world’s coal-fired power fleet inched up by 18.8 GW in 2024, its lowest rise in two decades, but new additions in China and India continued to offset closures elsewhere, data from US think tank Global Energy Monitor showed on Thursday. Despite a record surge in renewables, 44 GW of new coal power was commissioned by 12 countries last year, higher than the 25.2 GW of retirements, GEM’s annual coal plant tracker report said.
April 3, 2025 by

IDC mulls bigger AMSA stake after granting R1.68bn loan to halt longs closure for six months

Steel group ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has confirmed that the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is considering taking a larger equity stake in the JSE-listed group and will conduct a due diligence over the coming six months to assess its position. This, after a deal was reached to again defer the winding down of AMSA’s long-steel businesses – this time for six months.
April 1, 2025 by

Pilot procurement of 1 164 km of powerlines from private investors to be launched in Nov

South Africa intends launching a pilot programme for the procurement of 1 164 km of 400-kV powerlines, involving seven corridors in three provinces, in November as part of an initiative to mobilise private investment to address a grid backlog that is currently constraining new projects in high potential renewable-energy regions. The pilot independent transmission project (ITP) request for proposals will be overseen by the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO), which has managed South Africa’s public renewables procurement since 2011, and will be preceeded by the release of a request for qualification in July.
April 1, 2025 by

Standard Bank sets new sustainable finance target of R450bn by 2028

Financial services provider Standard Bank has updated its group sustainable finance targets and aims to mobilise more than R450-billion by 2028 for energy and infrastructure development on the continent. This compares with its previous sustainable finance target of R250-billion by 2026 and builds on the R177-billion financed since 2022, with R50.6-billion in sustainable finance mobilised in 2023 and R74.3-billion in 2024.
April 1, 2025 by

Botswana seeks new Eskom power deal as supply crisis deepens

Government officials from Botswana will meet with South Africa’s electricity ministry this week after power-import costs more than doubled, worsening a supply crisis. Breakdowns at Botswana’s main plant, the 600 MW Morupule B facility, have caused blackouts that last as many as four hours. South Africa’s state-owned power company fills the shortfall, but Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. has raised tariffs significantly, Botswana’s energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, told lawmakers Monday.
April 1, 2025 by