Gas, fuel-focused funding to support economies amid Gulf crisis

In an effort to support African and Caribbean economies affected by the ongoing Middle East conflict, multilateral trade finance institution African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) reports that it will make available $10-billion under its Gulf Crisis Response Programme (GCRP). The bank states that the programme aims to limit economic shocks affecting countries that rely on fuel, liquefied natural gas (LNG), fertilisers and food imports from the Gulf region. It does this by providing short-term foreign exchange and liquidity support to member States.
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Gas supply constraints stall power transition

Securing reliable, long-term gas supply is the main constraint to expanding gas-to-power and industrial energy solutions in South Africa, says electrical power solutions provider Clarke Energy commercial leader Kara Neale. She states that demand is not the fundamental issue, rather it is the availability of sufficient volumes of gas – an issue highlighted by recent hostilities between Iran and the US.
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Refrigerant shift signals major change

South Africa’s heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration sector is undergoing a significant transition as the phase-out of ozone depletion substances and phase-down of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants accelerates, says refrigeration gas services company A-Gas. This shift, driven by global environmental regulations, affects sectors such as cold chain logistics, automotive and manufacturing, with A-Gas head of environmental services Michael Labacher noting that regulatory requirements are mandating a move towards lower GWP and natural refrigerants.
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Eskom not yet in a position to comment on alleged diesel procurement, storage irregularities

State-owned power utility Eskom says its newly established Group Investigations and Security department is in the final stages of completing an investigation into alleged irregularities relating to the procurement of diesel and storage contracts. The investigation remains subject to internal governance, legal and assurance processes, the utility states.
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Eskom says ferrochrome offer will leave it financially better off

Eskom board member Clive Le Roux says the State-owned company will be in a better position financially by selling electricity to the ferrochrome smelters at 62c/kWh than if that demand was lost through smelter closures. “The reason for that is as the demand comes down, so the marginal cost of supplying energy into a lower-demand economy comes at a lower marginal price.
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Operation Vulindlela reforms progressing despite challenging global economic environment

As Operation Vulindlela continues to move forward, the latest dashboard indicates that 67% of the reform progress is on track, while 7% of the reform work has been completed, 6% facing significant challenges and 20% delayed. With regard to energy reforms, the report indicates that, while 60% of reform progress in the sector remains on track, 20% still requires intervention.
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Eskom expects no power cuts over winter months

State utility Eskom said on Wednesday that it expected to implement no power cuts during the southern hemisphere winter months from April to August as its power station fleet had become more reliable. Eskom gave the forecast in a statement on the electricity outlook for the next five months.
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South Africa’s pipeline of advanced wind projects stands at 17 GW – GWEC

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) remains optimistic about prospects for ongoing growth in South Africa, stating in its newly released ‘Global Wind Report 2026’ that the country has about 17 GW of advanced projects that could enter construction within the next five years. While acknowledging the grid constraints that are limiting wind installations, the report nevertheless describes South Africa as an attractive market.
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As coal chokes Johannesburg, South African scientists launch pollution warning app

Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand have designed South Africa’s first app to warn residents of pollution levels, as Johannesburg suffers a spike in coal emissions in recent weeks, causing breathing problems and other health issues. Africa’s wealthiest city lies not far from the country’s coal mines and the rotten-egg smell of sulphur has often been present in the air.
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R1.4bn Mercury BESS project scheduled to enter into operation in Q4 2027

Independent power producer Mulilo reports that construction of its R1.4-billion Mercury Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project will begin soon and that the facility is scheduled to enter into commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2027. The 76 MW/304 MWh project is the first of five projects awarded to Mulilo during Bid Window 2 of the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme to have advanced to financial close.
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