Feasibility study of Namibia’s gigawatt-scale green hydrogen project to start this year

The preferred bidder for a gigawatt-scale green hydrogen-to-ammonia project near the coastal town of Lüderitz, in Namibia, is aiming to conclude an implementation agreement with government by August, opening the way for a full-scale feasibility study to enable the implementation of the $10-billion project. Following a competitive bidding process, the Namibian government announced the selection of Hyphen Hydrogen Energy as the preferred bidder for the country’s first green hydrogen project in November 2021.
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Contracts for ‘emergency’ power procurement programme to be signed on June 2

Power purchase agreements (PPAs) arising from the much-delayed Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) will be signed on June 2, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy revealed on Tuesday. The DMRE did not indicated whether all 11 projects would be signed, saying only that the signing ceremony would be held in Centurion and would be presided over by Mineral resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe.
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As fuel-levy reduction is extended, govt warns of R4.5bn fiscal hit

The South African government has announced a two-month extension to the temporary reduction in the general fuel levy, but has warned that the R4.5-billion in foregone revenue will have an impact on the fiscal framework. In a joint statement Minister Enoch Godongwana and Gwede Mantashe announced that Godongwana had submitted a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, requesting the tabling of a two-month proposal for the extension of the reduction in the general fuel levy.
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Renewable energy the most effective load-shedding mitigation strategy, says Scatec

South Africa is well-positioned for effective renewable energy generation, as abundant sun and wind resources, combined with the quick turnaround of establishing renewables-based projects, make for the most effective and sustainable solutions to the energy risks South Africa faces, says renewable energy company Scatec sub-Saharan Africa GM Jan Fourie. Recent developments in technology and innovation in the renewable energy sector have led to the viability of on-demand power generation at a stable cost over the long term, making it a safer and more cost-effective solution for the country, he notes.
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Major contract awarded to complete development of Brazil’s third nuclear reactor

Brazilian Federal State-owned nuclear energy company Eletronuclear has signed a “Term of Commitment” with another Brazilian company, Nuclebrás Equipamentos Pesados (Nuclep), which is also a Federal State-owned undertaking, to manufacture and deliver new heat exchangers for the country’s third nuclear reactor, Angra 3. The contract is worth more than $84-million. Currently, Brazil has two operating nuclear power reactors, Angra 1 and Angra 2. All three reactor sites are in a single nuclear complex on the coast at Angra dos Reis in Rio de Janeiro State, about 100 km south west of Rio de Janeiro city.
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SANEDI celebrates more efficient waste-to-energy system design

The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) has, ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, announced the finalisation of a concept design for an efficient and sustainable waste-to-energy technology. SANEDI had commissioned the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) to design and build a more environment-friendly waste gasification and waste-to-energy system, and the result of this long-term project has been a success, the institute says.
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Load shedding to kick in again on Monday night after further breakdowns, says Eskom

Load shedding be implemented at Stage 2 during the peak hours on Monday evening after generation units broke down at Majuba and Medupi power stations.  Spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said three generation units were expected to return to service by Monday evening, which would ramp up through the night. However, load shedding would kick in at 17:00 and remain in place until 22:00.
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Uranium investors await price rally to revive Namibia projects

Namibia’s finance minister said uranium miners are waiting for prices to recover before reviving projects in Africa’s biggest producer of the ore, which is needed for nuclear power in a world shifting away from fossil fuels. The semi-arid southwest African nation is investing in water facilities and is planning a second desalination plant to supply mines in the dry Erongo region in anticipation of higher uranium prices attracting investors, according to Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi.
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For the economy to recover, ‘we must improve Eskom’s performance’ – ANC

The chairperson of the ANC’s economic transformation committee, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says the party’s policy conference will have to figure out how to help Eskom improve financially and operationally. The ANC will hold a policy conference in July.
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Investors should focus on climate opportunities instead of risks

There is significant tension not so much between the need for economic development and the need for climate action, but rather between the losses expected to be incurred as a result of climate inaction and the immense opportunities for growth that result from taking action, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) programme manager Louise Naudé has said. Speaking during a panel session at the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association’s 2022 conference, in Johannesburg, on May 26, she said the idea that we have to somehow balance socioeconomic and environmental needs to effect a just energy transition was a false dichotomy, because pursuing climate goals would create immense socioeconomic opportunity.
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