The Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) says that the task of mitigating risks related to the system performance and defining future electricity supply is too complex to be resolved by power utility Eskom alone, but instead requires active participation by other stakeholders as well.

EIUG CEO Fanele Mondi notes that the latest Eskom system status briefing (its winter plan) and poor performance during May, are evidence of increased levels of system strain, characterised by growing unplanned generation outages and a shortage of generation capacity to perform maintenance and meet demand.

State-owned Eskom has extended an invitation to interested parties to submit a tender for the provision of design, engineering, procurement, construction, construction management, start-up, commissioning, performance testing, operator and maintenance training of a solar agrivoltaics or photovoltaic system for the Komati power station. The tender deadline is 10:00 on July 7 and a non-compulsory clarification meeting will be conducted virtually on Microsoft Teams on June 15.
Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy chairperson Sahlulele Luzipo has welcomed the appointment of Jacob Mbele as director-general of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), saying he believes Mbele’s illustrious career at the DMRE qualifies him for the position. Mbele has served as the chief director for electricity in the former Department of Energy and later became deputy director-general for energy programmes and projects at the DMRE.
Eskom Holdings said it will give the transmission unit that it’s transforming into a separate entity a R39.9-billion loan to make sure it can complete projects and be financially viable. The loan will be guaranteed by the transmission unit’s assets with Eskom’s creditors able to call on them if the utility doesn’t pay them, it said in a presentation to creditors on Thursday. Government guarantees will remain in place. The company will be known as the National Transmission Company of South Africa, or NTCSA.
Industrial products and adhesives manufacturer Pratley offers a range of cost-effective electrical solutions available to assist contractors in a recovering construction industry. “It is important that one does not compromise on quality in favour of cost, which is especially important when it comes to safety-critical electrical termination equipment such as cable glands and junction boxes,” comments Pratley marketing director Eldon Kruger.
Last month, anti-corrosion coatings manufacturer Corrocoat announced it has been awarded a contract to protect 300 new pipe spools of various dimensions by a multinational energy client. The company say its Corroglass 600 series was the coating system selected for this project, as it offered the best long-term corrosion protection on the floating production, storage and offloading units.
As South Africa continues on its journey towards realising a just energy transition (JET), workers and unions have expressed their support for the move and for alternative sources of energy to be part of the energy mix, provided that labour plays a significant role, that its views are taken on board and that a social-ownership model is pursued. Associated Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) organisational development head Krister Janse van Rensburg emphasises that a transition to a low-carbon development path is crucial to addressing climate change and resolving “the deep crisis” the South African economy finds itself in.
Industrial process technologies supplier Alfa Laval has launched its new Alfa Laval AC65 brazed plate heat exchanger at its first online net-zero launch event, where it showcased new, cutting-edge thinking in energy efficiency, clean energy and circular-economy solutions.
Over the past 24 months, companies requiring emergency boiler systems have succumbed to price increases to keep their steam operations functioning.
Rope access specialist Skyriders introduced the new Elios SkyEye drones last month for use in non-destructive testing when inspecting boiler internals at power stations.