Eskom seeks partner for renewables unit
Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses power utility Eskom’s plans to set up a new renewable energy business and the tender it has issued to find a partner for the venture.
Author Archive for: Engineering News
Entries by
Keren Energy on the hunt for customers for its Western Cape green hydrogen project
Keren Energy has made significant progress in the development of its green hydrogen (GH2) production facility near Vanrhynsdorp, in the Western Cape, says CEO George van Rensburg. The project aims to support South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy by focusing on small-scale, distributed hydrogen production, tailored for the local industrial, manufacturing, mobility and commercial sectors.
Exxaro views collaboration with Eskom as key to lowering of Scope 3 emissions
JSE-listed coal and energy group Exxaro Resources and State-owned electricity producer Eskom have announced they will collaborate on research initiatives and projects to reduce carbon emissions and cut air pollution. The two entities, which both have net-zero by 2050 targets, formalised their collaboration through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on April 14.
Marokane says Eskom must be given ‘space’ to pursue renewables strategy
Eskom CEO Dan Marokane has appealed for the State-owned utility to be given “space” to implement its renewable-energy strategy, insisting that it is not designed to “crowd out” private competitors and is in line with the country’s Just Energy Transition strategy of protecting vulnerable coal workers and communities. Speaking during the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Exxaro aimed primarily at helping to support the coal miner to reduce its Scope 3, or indirect, carbon emissions, Marokane also stressed the utility’s renewables strategy would be pursued in partnership with the private sector.
South Africa moves closer to traded power market, top bank says
South Africa is on the cusp of starting a traded electricity market that will give consumers a choice of power products along with a range of pricing options, according to a top investment bank. Africa’s most industrialised economy has relied on state-owned Eskom for the bulk of its electricity supply for more than a century. Mismanagement and underinvestment at the utility led to record outages in 2023, causing government to allow private companies to build power plants of any size to meet their own needs and to sell to the grid.
Aspirant IPP advancing 1 GW flexible gas-engine project in Mpumalanga
Aspirant independent power producer (IPP) FlexED is developing a 1 000 MW gas-engine project in Mpumalanga to provide the flexible generation and ancillary services that will be required as the share of variable renewable-energy generation in South Africa’s electricity system rises. Known as Khanyazwe Flexpower, the project is being developed near Malalane, in Mpumalanga, in close proximity to the National Transmission Company South Africa’s (NTCSA’s) Khanyazwe substation and with confirmed access to the Rompco gas pipeline from Mozambique to South Africa.
Advanced protection for hazardous electrical environments
Critical for use near utilities’ generators and substations as well as industrial electrical panels and switch rooms, Dromex arc workwear forms an important part of industrial equipment and services supplier BMG’s tool and equipment division’s comprehensive personal protective equipment (PPE) range. BMG tools and equipment division business unit manager Andrew Johns advises customers to ensure that chosen workwear and PPE offers adequate protection for specific applications as every environment poses different safety challenges; correct product selection is crucial.
Hybrid energy solutions boost power reliability
Despite reduced loadshedding, power reliability concerns in South Africa persist. Consequently, solar solutions company Blockpower seeks to address the need for reliable, sustainable power through its hybrid solutions, incorporating solar and advanced battery storage, among other sources. “The demand for standby power solutions, such as generators and battery storage, has significantly increased in recent years owing to ongoing power shortages and loadshedding in South Africa,” explains Blockpower project head Martin van Zyl.
Engine dealer expands generator range
As South Africa’s demand for reliable and cost-effective power solutions continues to grow, diesel engine dealer YC Diesel has identified the need for a factory-supported supplier that provides “high-quality generators while ensuring strong after-sales support and reliable warranties”. The company now offers a comprehensive range of generators – from 20 kVA units to 1.2 MW – with larger models available for industrial applications.
Landmark initiative will facilitate greener future
In a move that bridges mining, energy and sustainability, blue ammonia producer Suiso and public research institute the Council for Geoscience (CGS) have entered a collaboration to research South Africa’s subsurface potential. The initiative will augment the assessment of the underground carbon storage capacity being undertaken by the CGS, enhance the search for sustainable critical minerals and lay the foundation for a greener energy future.
