IDC backs incoming 540 MW solar plant in the Northern Cape

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has announced its plans to fund an upcoming hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage facility in the Northern Cape, which is poised to be one of the world’s largest projects of this nature.

The IDC is participating in the project through its funding support to a black economic empowerment group called H1 to acquire a 49% equity in this venture, alongside Norwegian renewable energy manufacturer Scatec.

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Alumo Energy advises consumers to worry about quality of solar installations, rather than …

Rumours of a special new R938 levy to be imposed on electricity consumers that have installed a solar system are misleading, says solar power and battery back-up solutions provider Alumo Energy MD Rein Henkemans.

He says there is no proposed special levy for solar users, but instead, Eskom has applied to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa for a new tariff structure for all homeowners that would include a fixed cost and variable cost.

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Treated water from wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant cleared for discharge into the sea

The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan has given formal approval to the plan of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) to discharge into the sea treated water from the disabled and deactivated Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP). The operational reactors at the plant had been wrecked by the devastating tsunami which hit north-eastern Japan, following a massive undersea earthquake, in 2011. Following the consequent meltdowns of the three reactors, water was used to cool the melted nuclear fuel. That, and other contaminated water, has been stored in a tank farm, containing some 1 000 tanks, constructed on the NPP site. The water is being treated, using an Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS). This removes all the radioactive contamination, except for tritium (which is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen).
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IFC provided $9.4bn for private sector development in Africa in the past year

Development finance institution the International Finance Corporation (IFC) provided record financing of $9.4-billion in investments between July 2021 and June this year across 36 countries in Africa, helping to develop regional pharmaceutical manufacturing, increase intra-Africa trade, expand access to climate financing and strengthen food security. The investments include $3-billion in trade financing that is unlocking intra-Africa trade for thousands of small businesses; $2.1-billion that is supporting the continent’s green transition, from increasing access to climate finance to funding renewable energy projects; and $861.7-million that is supporting increased digital connectivity.
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Eskom warns of load-shedding at short notice as five generating units at Kriel power station trip

After load-shedding was suspended for the first time in five weeks this weekend, Eskom warned that it may return at short notice on Monday. During the early hours of Monday morning, there were two electrical faults in quick succession in the high voltage yard at Kriel power station.
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TUT team wins South Africa’s first closed-track solar vehicle challenge

The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Solar Team were declared the winners of the first ever Ilanga Cup Solar Challenge, which took place at the 4.2-km-long Red Star Raceway, in Delmas, on July 21. “We would like to congratulate the TUT Solar Team for winning the first event of the Ilanga Cup. The weather was not solar car friendly but the team persevered,” Ilanga Cup director Robert Walker said.
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Load-shedding suspended from Saturday

Stage 1 load-shedding will be implemented from 16:00 to 24:00 on Friday evening. Load-shedding will then be suspended as the generation system has recovered sufficiently at this point. “Eskom thanks the public and all stakeholders for their patience and understanding during this difficult period of load-shedding. While we are able to suspend load-shedding at this point, Eskom cautions that the power system constraints continue to persist,” Eskom said in a statement. Eskom has 3 693MW on planned maintenance, while another 14 261MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.
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Sosimple Energy provides cheap clean energy that reduces electricity costs

Clean energy provider Sosimple Energy is protecting businesses in South Africa against rising electricity prices, helping them to save money through its solar installation offerings. The offering, which requires no investment and no costs for maintenance or insurance, provides businesses with an opportunity to save more than 20% on their electricity costs.
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Mantashe says De Ruyter is not the right CEO to fix Eskom – report

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has questioned the skills of Eskom CEO André de Ruyter, saying he isn’t the type of leader Eskom needs at the moment.  In an interview with the Mail & Guardian, the minister, who is also the national chairperson of the African National Congress, said that the power utility currently needs a “fixer”, and De Ruyter isn’t necessarily that person due to a skills mismatch.
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Bioeconomy could support S Africa’s energy needs

Amid unstable power supply, the development of a wood bioeconomy could help support South Africa’s energy needs while ensuring that the country meets its carbon emission reduction targets, says University of Pretoria Graduate School of Technology Management senior lecturer Schalk Grobbelaar. The country intends to limit greenhouse gas emissions to between 398 t of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) and 510 t CO2-e by 2025 and to between 350 t CO2-e and 420 t CO2-e by 2030.
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