Hillside’s marks 30 years amid push for long-term power solution

Diversified miner South32’s Hillside Aluminium smelter in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, could continue operating for another 20 to 30 years if a competitive long-term electricity agreement is secured with State-owned power utility Eskom.

This was stated by South32 executives at a gala event to celebrate the smelter’s 30 years in operation.

During a media briefing, South32 CEO Graham Kerr said the decision to build the Hillside Aluminium smelter in the early 1990s required courage and belief in South Africa’s future at a time of political and economic uncertainty, adding that the smelter has since become a key contributor to industrialisation, employment and regional economic development.

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Anthem’s 20 MW solar project in Eswatini advances to financial close

South African renewable-energy company Anthem reports that it has reached financial close on the 20 MW Tsamela solar PV project in Eswatini, which is seeking to increase domestic generation capacity so as to reduce reliance on electricity imports. The project is reportedly the first of five developments selected under the Eswatini Electricity Regulatory Authority’s Solar PV procurement programme to reach financial close.
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Energy transition, policy in the spotlight

Amid rising fuel prices and dropping temperatures in South Africa, Engineering News editor Terence Creamer joins me to discuss what issues these developments raise for the energy transition and policy.
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Digital substation commissioned

ACTOM, a provider of power transmission and distribution solutions, has successfully commissioned Sekelduin 132/66/33 kV substation near Swakponmund, marking a significant milestone in the continent’s energy infrastructure development. The project, officially opened by NamPower, Namibia’s power utility, is Africa’s first fully digital substation, showcasing the country’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology to enhance grid reliability and support future energy demands.
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New technology nearing pilot-plant stage

To advance its locally developed carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technology, South African company EPCM Global Engineering is progressing to the next stage of development through a comprehensive pilot plant programme aimed at attracting investment from State-owned and private sector partners. The company seeks to address major emissions challenges with solutions capable of delivering lasting impact.
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BESS solutions  become financially viable

The clear and accelerating pivot from solar-only to hybrid energy solutions across sub-Saharan Africa is owed to cost-effective battery energy storage systems (BESS) making hybrid solutions financially viable, notes commercial energy company RenEnergy. As diesel prices soar, grids falter under increased strain and electricity tariffs escalate, the solution for much of the commercial and industrial sectors in sub-Saharan Africa is a shift to hybrid systems.
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Eskom to interrupt bulk electricity supply to one North West municipality from May 8

Power utility Eskom has confirmed that it will proceed with the interruption of bulk electricity supply to the Mamusa local municipality, in the North West, from May 8, after the municipality failed to reach an agreement with the State-owned entity to settle its outstanding debt. The utility in March notified various municipalities across the country of its intention to interrupt bulk electricity supply for several hours a day owing to the debt owed to Eskom by the municipalities for more than 18 months.
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Eskom reports progress in dialogue with some municipalities struggling to settle debt

State-owned power utility Eskom says notable progress has been achieved as a result of the ongoing dialogue since March with 14 municipalities that have not settled their accounts for bulk electricity supply for at least the past 18 months. The municipalities were selected because they had also not met the conditions of the National Treasury municipal debt relief programme, or they posed a significant financial risk to Eskom.
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Japan offers energy loan, ammonia technology to South Africa

Japan plans to fast-track talks with South Africa on a yen-denominated energy loan, while promoting its technology to blend ammonia with coal to reduce carbon emissions in a country that still generates most of its electricity from one of the dirtiest fossil fuels. The loan would be used by South Africa to extend its own energy transition aims, Japanese diplomatic officials said, asking not to be identified in line with government practice, during a visit by its Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. The size of the loan was not specified.
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Opinion: Equitable Fossil Fuel Transitions matter for inclusive development

In this opinion article written jointly by Harald Winkler and Andrew Marquard, the case is made for Equitable Fossil Fuel Transitions, whereby equity and justice are structurally integrated into the transition away from fossil fuels.
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