Author Archive for: Engineering News

AI has the potential to considerably impact the energy sector in the coming decade, driving a surge in electricity demand from data centres around the world, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) ‘Energy and AI’ report posits. It projects that electricity demand from data centres worldwide is set to more than double by 2030 to an estimated 945 TWh.

South Africa should focus its efforts on defining the role of gas in its economy over the next ten years and then implement projects on that basis as a stepping stone that will provide greater clarity on the role of gas in the economy up to 2050, energy sector advocacy organisation, Energy Council of South Africa CEO James Mackay says. “To project what our energy mix will look like in 2050 requires a crystal ball. As the Energy Council, we have said that we should focus on the next ten years. Once we get through this and, as part of the energy transition, we will be well positioned for 2050,” he said during the ‘Gas: Unpacking the gas projects, policies and infrastructure needed to avoid the supply crunch’ webinar hosted by Creamer Media on April 9.

A new Green Cape report is forecasting that 6 GW of new private solar PV and 3.5 GW of new private wind capacity will be installed in South Africa by 2030, involving total investments of R132-billion. This, despite serious grid constraints and uncertainty over the future of public procurement, which led the authors to exclude from their estimate any new capacity arising from government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) over the period.

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.

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.