Retaining refining capacity could pose long-term risks for South Africa

South Africa’s oil refining capacity has always been rather small when considered on a global scale, but there was some sense of national pride and of security in knowing that the country could deliver – even if most of the crude input had to be imported. While local refineries were never able to fulfil South Africa’s demand for fuel in recent times – at 25-billion litres a year – local refining capacity helped to supplement imported supplies.
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UK goes big on nuclear and offshore wind for its future and secure low-carbon energy

The UK officially confirmed on Thursday that, to ensure the country’s energy security and independence, while also moving more rapidly to achieving net-zero carbon emissions energy, it was going to particularly prioritise the development of new nuclear and offshore wind generation capacity. Hydrogen and solar power sources were not being forgotten, and, in the short- and medium-term, domestic oil and gas production would not be neglected. The government would immediately set up a new agency, Great British Nuclear, backed by “substantial funding”, to facilitate the launch of new nuclear projects. A £120-million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund would be launched this month. The aim was to have 24 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050, or some 25% of the country’s predicted electricity demand for that year. Currently, nuclear provided about 16% of the UK’s electricity.
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Ramaphosa warns risk of ‘not undertaking an ambitious and just transition’ are great

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the risks associated with South Africa’s transition from coal to renewables but insists the “risks of not undertaking an ambitious and just transition are far greater.” Speaking during the virtual launch of the Oxford ‘Handbook on the South African Economy’, the President said the commitments made by South Africa to avert a climate crisis carry “significant risks”.
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Sicelo Xulu appointed chair of SANEDI’s new board

The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) has announced new board appointments, following the expiration of the prior board’s term. The new board, appointed by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, comprises ten members, who hold experience across various industries such as clean energy, intellectual property and chemical engineering.
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DMRE initiates sixth renewables bidding round

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has officially launched the sixth bid window (BW6) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) with the release of bid documentation on April 6. As has become the norm, prospective bidders are required to pay a R25 000 nonrefundable fee for each prospective project and complete a registration form before receiving the request for proposals (RFP) documentation.
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India continues with major nuclear energy development programme

India currently had ten nuclear reactors under construction and had authorised the construction of another ten. The country had also imported 7 546 t of natural uranium ore concentrate and 56.78 t of enriched uranium fuel pellets over the past three years, complementing the country’s own uranium production. These figures were released by Indian Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh, in written answers to questions in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of …
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Partnership launched to overcome climate resiliency barriers in energy, water

A joint project to accelerate South Africa’s energy and water transitions to be more efficient and sustainable – the South African Industry Adaption (SAIA) project – was officially launched on April 5 between the government of Belgium (through the embassy in South Africa – Flanders) and the United Nations Industrial Development Corporation (Unido).

Flanders is contributing R41-million (€2.4-million) to the project, following a proposal for funding partners by Unido.

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Bayoglu unconvinced the energy transition will benefit the majority

Mining investment group Menar CEO Vuslat Bayoglu has expressed concern about job losses in the fossil fuel sector as State-owned Eskom proceeds with its just energy transition. “When we do the just transition, we’re talking about 90 000 jobs that will be lost,” he said during a discussion at the Fossil Fuel Foundation (FFF) Carbon’s Coal Conference 2022 held in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on April 1.
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Companies developing wind energy skills in the Eastern Cape

The Wind Turbine Service Training programme, an initiative of renewable energy project developer EIMS Africa’s portfolio company Cookhouse Wind Farm and operations and maintenance contractor Suzlon, is helping to build technical skills for South Africa’s wind power sector. This skills-based capacity building programme demonstrates both sector leadership, as well as the value of collaboration. 
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Joburg commits resources to safeguard city’s economic infrastructure

City of Johannesburg (CoJ) executive mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse has instructed CoJ Head of Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS) Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya to assemble a team to work with law enforcement agencies, including the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, to investigate and combat attacks on the city’s infrastructure. The final week of March into early April saw three violent attacks that targeted metropolitan utility City Power security personnel and infrastructure. These attacks were carried out by heavily armed criminals “who are not averse to taking lives and undermine the city’s efforts to keep the lights on and sustain economic activity”, the CoJ notes.
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