Energy efficiency part of net-zero journey, but investments, renewable energy needed for broad …

Energy efficiency is an important component to reaching net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions, lifting people out of energy poverty and enabling development, but requires public and private investment to secure these benefits, as well as growing development and use of renewable energy sources, speakers said during the African Energy Indaba ‘Role of Energy Efficiency in Achieving Net Zero’ panel discussion on March 2. Renewable energy engineering, procurement and construction company Turnkey Solar Solutions CEO Maurits Perold said various case studies, and the company’s own experiences in implementing projects, show that phased energy efficiency initiatives contribute to offsetting about 7% to 10% of total energy costs.
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Several factors limiting financial support for African renewable energy projects

There are significant opportunities in Africa for renewable energy but securing financial backing for projects can be a problem owing to a number of challenges facing the investor community. This was indicated by speakers during a panel discussion at the African Energy Indaba on March 1.
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New SAIIA paper highlights IMF’s role in supporting South African just transition

Global finance organisation the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has an important role to play in supporting South Africa’s just transition away from fossil-fuel dependence, independent think-tank the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) has found. The organisation this week launched a new research paper that seeks to explore the potential role of the IMF in supporting the country’s just energy transition.
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Cyber, electricity, riot insurance risks becoming increasingly complicated to manage

South Africa’s infrastructure is vulnerable to cyberattacks, as highlighted during 2021, while the risk of the electricity grid’s failure accelerated in 2021. There are also concerns that a repeat of the riots experienced in July last year could be on the horizon in 2022, says insurance company Old Mutual Insure MD Garth Napier.
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Sakhumnotho Power, Keren Energy partner on 100 kW green hydrogen proof-of-concept project

Investment holding company Sakhumnotho business unit Sakhumnotho Power has partnered with energy project development company Keren Energy Investments to undertake a proof-of-concept project to produce green hydrogen at a site supplied by Namaqua Engineering, in Vredendal, in the Western Cape. The site has a 100 kW photovoltaic solar system installed and this renewable energy will be used as the primary energy to produce green hydrogen. The hydrogen generated will, ultimately, be used in fuel cell vehicles in the future.
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Number of considerations as Africa pursues just energy transition

As African countries pursue an energy transition, it is vital that this process be just and takes into account the impact on jobs and communities, and this requires a number of considerations, including developing proper policy, being cognisant of regional differences while also seeking an integrated approach, and pursuing an ideal energy mix. This was indicated by speakers during the African Energy Indaba on March 1.
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Mantashe wants to ‘refocus’ just energy transition debate as DMRE moves to finalise own policy

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe indicated on Tuesday that his department will seek to “refocus” South Africa’s just energy transition debate as it prepares to finalise its policy on the matter. In an address to the Africa Energy Indaba on Tuesday, Mantashe indicated that the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) intended initiating “a wide-ranging public dialogue and consultation process in this year” on its ‘Just Transition Framework for the Energy and Mining Sectors’.
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Cheap South African solar projects face cost challenge to close

Solar projects in South Africa’s latest renewable power procurement round may have difficulty reaching financial close due to issues including rising supply chain costs, according to people familiar with the details. Some of the bids are experiencing trouble ahead of a deadline to complete financing arrangements, according to the people who asked not to be identified because the information is not public. South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy expects the projects to close in April.
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Investec Property to build solar rooftop PV plant at Cornubia Mall

Property development company Investec Property will build a 5.25 MW rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) plant at the Cornubia Mall, in Durban, to reduce the mall’s reliance on the grid and ease the pressure on the national power grid. This is a key step in Investec Property’s mission to embrace renewable low-carbon emission technology across its assets, thereby decreasing their environmental impact on society.
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Nuclear corporation extends deadline for research reactor RFI responses

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) announced on Sunday that it was extending the deadline for responses to its Request for Information (RFI) regarding its Multi-Purpose Reactor (MPR) project, by 30 days, to this coming April 8, at 16:00 South African time. The extension is due to, in Necsa’s words, “the excellent global response” to the RFI and to allow the responders additional time so that they could supply more detailed information. The corporation highlighted that the RFI was not focused exclusively on the MPR itself. The RFI was looking at a wide range of components and services. In addition to the nuclear reactor, these were – a neutron beamline centre and associated equipment; facilities for fuel and material testing (by irradiation); the manufacturing of fuel and target plates; and on-site accommodation or lodging.
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