New IAEA training tool used to assist Senegal with its nuclear research reactor project

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a specialist organisation of the United Nations system, highlighted on Friday that it has piloted a new training tool in Senegal, in support of the West African country’s plan to acquire a research reactor. The piloting of the new tool took place in Dakar, from December 12 to December 16. Designated the IAEA Human Resource Modelling Tool for New Research Reactor Programmes, the new training system is intended to help countries to determine and develop the skilled workforces they will need to implement new research reactor programmes. Using modelling, the tool will help these countries to address the human resources requirements of every step in such programmes, from planning research reactors to operating them.
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Eskom says police investigating alleged poisoning of CEO

South African power utility Eskom on Sunday said police were investigating whether an attempt was made to poison its outgoing CEO Andre de Ruyter. Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan also told Reuters on Sunday the alleged incident “will be thoroughly investigated” and anyone responsible charged.
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Stefanutti submits more claims against Eskom for expert review

JSE-listed multidisciplinary construction group Stefanutti Stocks has advised shareholders that it has submitted an overarching preliminary and general cost claim, as well as a subcontractor overarching preliminary and general cost claim, of R337-million and R193-million, respectively, in relation to the Kusile power project. In addition to a construction cost claim of R438-million and a finance cost claim of R171-million, the total of all provisional claims submitted to the experts is R1.14-billion.
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Nersa granted extension to make final decision on Eskom revenue application

The High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division) has granted the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) an extension, to January 12, to make the final decision on Eskom’s revenue application for the 2023/24 financial year. The regulator was previously required to make a decision by December 24.
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South Africa urged to act with urgency to build a net-zero economy

South Africa needs to act now and transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and competitive economy to unlock new green opportunities and avoid the “massive” cost of inaction around climate change, a report recently published by the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with Business Unity South Africa (Busa) and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), has found. The NBI-Busa-BCG Climate Pathways project last week published the ‘Financing South Africa’s Just Transition’ and ‘South Africa’s Net-Zero Transition’ reports.
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AfDB approves R2.2bn loan to DBSA

Development finance institution (DFI) the African Development Bank (AfDB) group has approved a R2.2-billion line of credit to the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to expand its portfolio with strategic projects in energy, infrastructure and communications technology in the Southern Africa region and elsewhere in Africa. The DBSA is seeking to raise $1-billion (R19-billion) in funds over the next three years, to expand its portfolio and focus on clean and renewable energy, infrastructure, information and communications technology and social as well as women-owned projects in the Southern Africa Development Community region.
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Climate change effects weighing heavier on African citizens – EIB

An Africa edition of the ‘2022 Climate Survey’ conducted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) has found that 88% of African respondents believe climate change is already affecting their everyday life, while 61% believe that climate change and environmental damage have affected their income or source of livelihood. The effects to income and livelihoods are typically a result of severe drought, rising sea levels or coastal erosion, or extreme weather events such as floods or hurricanes.
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Zimbabwe proposes incentives for $1bn solar projects

Zimbabwe has proposed incentives to accelerate 1 000 MW of privately owned solar energy projects worth about $1-billion, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced on Monday, as the country scrambles to plug an electricity deficit that threatens to compound its economic woes. The southern African country is currently generating about a third of its 2 000 MW peak power demand and experiencing up to 18 hours of power outages daily after its main Kariba hydropower plant cut electricity generation due to low water levels. The country’s ageing coal plants are prone to frequent breakdowns, impacting mines, industry and households.
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City Power slashes power outage backlog calls after Eskom agrees to a load shedding reprieve

City Power has managed to slash its power outage calls backlog to 2 000 from 5 000. Most of the calls are due to the heavy flooding on 5 and 6 December. 
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Victorious Ramphosa’s tough task to revive South African economy

Cyril Ramaphosa fended off an impeachment inquiry and internal dissent in South Africa’s governing African National Congress to win re-election as its leader. Rebuilding support for the party ahead of a national vote scheduled for 2024 and tackling the nation’s multitude of socio-economic ills is likely to be even more arduous. The ANC is “increasingly becoming unpopular” and Ramaphosa’s most difficult tasks will be to re-inspire confidence in himself and the party, and to win support for measures needed to turn the country around, said Thabi Leoka, a Johannesburg-based economist.
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