Partnership formed to use Boliden’s low-carbon copper in ABB’s electric motors

Engineering company ABB is partnering with Swedish mining and smelting company Boliden to use low-carbon copper in the production of its electromagnetic stirring (EMS) equipment and high-efficiency electric motors.

The aim of the partnership – to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions while driving the transition to a more circular economy – forms an integral part of ABB’s strategic ambition to reduce the environmental impact of raw materials used in its products by replacing them with lower-carbon alternatives.

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Globeleq signs debt funding for 35 MW Menengai geothermal project in Kenya

Private power company Globeleq has signed financing agreements with development finance institutions the African Development Bank (AfDB), Finnfund and the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB) for $72-million debt funding for the 35 MW Menengai geothermal project in Nakuru county, Kenya. Globeleq is providing equity, project development and construction management experience. Construction of the project is expected to start during the first quarter of 2023, once financial close has been reached.
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Some relief as Eskom reduces loadshedding from Thursday

Stage 5 load shedding will be reduced to Stage 4 starting from 05:00 on Thursday morning until 05:00 on Sunday morning, Eskom announced on Wednesday evening. It added that Stage 3 load shedding would be implemented on Sunday. “Since Tuesday morning, a unit each at Camden, Kriel, Majuba, Matla and Duvha power stations were taken offline for repairs and planned maintenance. In addition, the delay in returning to service a generating unit each at Arnot, Duvha and Hendrina power stations has contributed to the capacity constraints,” a spokesperson said. “A generating unit each at Grootvlei, Camden, Kriel, Majuba power stations returned to service.”
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Fuel leak causes fire at Eskom’s Matla power station

A unit at Eskom’s Matla power station in Mpumalanga suffered a fire incident on Wednesday afternoon as a result of a fuel oil leak. According to sources at the power utility, spilled fuel oil ignited and started a fire at the power station’s unit 6 boiler, resulting in damage to electrical cables at the 3 600 MW plant.
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Nersa refuses to concur with determination for 3 GW Eskom gas plant

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has refused to concur with two electricity procurement determinations submitted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) under Section 34 of the Energy Regulation Act – including one for a 3 000 MW Combined Cycle Gas Technology (CCGT) project that Eskom plans to develop in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. Earlier this year, the DMRE submitted three determinations for the regulator’s concurrence, which is required before public procurement can take place, including:
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Phase 2 of Renergen’s Virginia gas project awarded SIP status

Phase 2 of Renergen’s Virginia gas project awarded SIP status Natural gas and helium provider Renergen’s Virginia gas project’s Phase 2 is now a strategic integrated project (SIP) under the Infrastructure Development Act (IDA) and its amendments were Gazetted by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia De Lille earlier this month.
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André de Ruyter resigns as Eskom chief executive

André de Ruyter, Eskom’s group chief executive, has resigned. News24 understands that he notified board chairperson Mpho Makwana of his decision earlier in the week. Makwana has also informed Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan.
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AMEA Power to build 120 MW solar PV plant near Klerksdorp

Renewable energy company AMEA Power has been selected as a preferred bidder under Bid Window (BW) 6 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

The company submitted a bid to build a 120 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project, the Doornhoek PV project, in North West.

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Energy Regulator postpones Eskom tariff decision as Christmas Eve deadline looms

The Energy Regulator has postponed deciding on Eskom’s tariffs for 2023/24 and 2024/25 after the Electricity Subcommittee (ELS) of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) requested more time to finalise its recommendation – this only ten days out from a looming December 24 deadline for the regulator to finalise its decision as stipulated in an order made earlier in the year by the High Court. Eskom’s fifth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD5) revenue application, if fully approved, would translate into a 32% hike in its standard tariff on April 1, 2023, followed by a 9.74% increase in 2024/25.
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New JV to build, operate battery recycling facilities in South Africa

US-based recycling platform for battery materials ACE Green Recycling and South African investment business Tabono Investments have signed a term sheet to form a joint venture (JV) to build and operate two environmentally sustainable battery recycling facilities in South Africa.  Through the JV, the companies aim to enact significant change to the management of the country’s battery waste. 
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