Author Archive for: Engineering News

Energy and chemicals group Sasol has announced a dramatic 70% cut to the capital expenditure (capex) budget associated with its greenhouse-gas emission reduction roadmap to 2030, while still insisting that its 30% reduction target remains intact. CEO Simon Baloyi outlined the revised roadmap at the JSE-listed group’s 2025 Capital Markets Day, announcing that it would invest between R4-billion and R7-billion on emission-reduction projects over the coming five years, compared with a previous range of between R15-billion and R25-billion.

In this article, IMPOWER business development executive Matthew Cruise writes that Eskom’s recent push to register all grid-tied solar systems has sparked controversy in South Africa’s solar sector, raising concerns about legality, cost and Eskom’s role in shaping the country’s energy future.

Swedish manufacturing company Alfa Laval is extending its range of valve-related offerings to clients in the industrial, home and food and beverage sectors, with its new leakage detection butterfly valve (LDBV), Unique Mixproof valves and the Unique SSV pressure relief valve, says valves and automation portfolio manager Paw Kramer. The Alfa Laval LDBV is the “ideal solution” for maintaining performance, as its integrated leakage detection allows for “rapid responses”, while its single seal, disc and actuator make it lightweight. It can fit into clean-in-place (CIP) systems and, when paired with Alfa Laval’s ThinkTop solution, incorporates real-time monitoring and control capabilities, and enhances performance and reliability.

Energy trader Discovery Green and fuels and chemical group Sasol have teamed up to form a new venture that will supply wheeled renewable electricity to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are keen to reduce their carbon footprints but are not in a position to sign multidecade power purchase agreements (PPAs). Known as Ampli Energy, the new entity was launched in Sandton by Discovery CEO Adrian Gore and Sasol CEO Simon Baloyi at an event that was also addressed by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who described it as a pioneering move to “democratise” access to green electricity.

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokogopa has reaffirmed that deliberations at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) are the “last step left” ahead of Cabinet approval of the updated Integrated Resources Plan (IRP). In response to a question posed by Engineering News during a briefing on the reasons for the latest bout of loadshedding, Ramokgopa indicated that the Nedlac process was a legislated requirement and that the draft IRP had been delivered to the social partners late last year for their deliberations.